Springlike weather is threatening to replace the miserable wet winter endured across most of the U.K. Bedfordshire based Trevor Wilkinson decided ‘enough was enough’ and took to the byways in his 1934 Morris Minor Two-seater (UN 6979), the sunglasses proving that the great golden orb did at least make an appearance!
John McDonald from Christchurch, New Zealand reports that Morris Minors continue to surface across the country. The three cars represented here are all recent finds. Only the blue 1934 Saloon (RC 1232) has been positively identified to date, while the red 1932 roadster carried the N.Z. registration KB 1932 and engine no. 34937 although its chassis no. remains unknown. (This car has recently sold) Tantalisingly, the VIN plate for the second 1934 Saloon (AX 4589) is visible on the car’s bulkhead, but is sadly unreadable from the photograph.
During the spring and summer of 2015 a dozen Minorists took part in the ‘Around the Edge Challenge’ attempt, a charity run in our cars, its aim to circumnavigate the entire English border, while raising funds for the Macmillan Cancer Support charity. That it was completed owed much to the efforts of all concerned but particularly, to Toby Sears and Peter Brock who covered 650+ and 800+ miles respectively in their Minors and who both contributed towards the huge sum of £7000 we raised as a result. Here Peter Brock is captured resting from his toils at the wheel alongside a field of oilseed rape while his 1934 Minor Four-door Saloon (AAO 463) sizzles away gently on the verge.
BF 9025 is a 1929 Morris Minor Arrow Two-seater replica. The car originally left the Morris Motors factory in Cowley, Oxon as a Tourer although in 2010 it began a transformational journey that was to see it emerge in 2022 as it appears today. The replica fabric skinned Arrow body was constructed, and its interior finished by a well known Cumbrian coachbuilder using traditional methods. It is powered by an original 1930 MG Midget engine which has been fitted with a modern Phoenix crankshaft and a new Double Twelve cam. Since its completion in 2022 it has covered almost 1500 miles during which time the inevitable post rebuild teething problems have been tackled and resolved. It is also equipped with a full set of weather protection gear and runs on new period ‘look’ Longstone tyres. Although A.P. Compton built scores of Arrow bodied Minor specials in the period 1929 – 1931 none are known to have survived. This replica was constructed to correct that sad anomaly and it remains a unique homage to the model. It is now offered for sale (in Suffolk, U.K.) at £13,000. More information and images on request from chris@prewarminor.com
Both the New Forest, Hants and the Ashdown Forest in East Sussex have vast tracts of heathland within their borders that don’t resemble forests at all. Seen here, in this spring 2015 photo, set against the beautiful background of the Ashdown Forest is Philip Butland’s Morris Minor CMS Super Sports (UY 8391) reminding us that spring is just around the corner (we hope!). (Photo: P. Butland)
This 1930 MG M Type Midget (VU 595, 2M-2027) has acquired a new body at some point in its nearly 94 year life span. Its current ‘garage’ is a Chinese restaurant foyer in West Drayton, Greater London. Currently on a SORN, the car isn’t likely to be travelling very far any time soon, despite it being listed for sale on Facebook at just £1234! (Image via Duncan Buck)
This is Philip Worman‘s 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater (KX 8250) The car’s bodywork and interior look to be in superb condition while the pipe-smoking accoutrements, dashboard affixed pocket-watch and polished fire extinguisher add a touch of class that was lacking when the car left Cowley almost 92 years ago. Philip, from Fleet, Hants has owned ‘Molly’ for three years.
Although known about, it has been many years since this 1934 Morris Four-door Family Saloon last surfaced. It resides in Goose Green in the Falkland Islands, some 7,900 miles from its place of manufacture. How it got there and its length of stay are currently unknown but it is now undergoing a restoration at the hands of its owner, Colin Shepherd.
George Rodwell‘s 1931 Morris Minor Two-seater (TP 9995) became the model’s flagbearer when it took part in the VSCC’s New Year Driving Tests at Brooklands, making it the first Minor S.V. model to officially compete in this prestigious event. It has been a full six year’s since the VSCC amended their PVT list, enabling S.V. Minors to compete on equal terms with their OHC brethren. Car and driver are seen here at speed in front of the former circuit’s pit area. (Photo: Phillip Butland)
The last event in the VSCC’s 2023 calendar was their Winter Driving Tests held in early December under very cold and foggy conditions in Bicester. Here George Rodford in his 1931 Morris Minor Two-seater (TP 9995) reverses his car, the condensation and exhaust gases adding to the fog. Note the miniature bobble hat on top of the car’s calormeter! (Photo courtesy Peter McFadyen https://petermcfadyen.co.uk)https://petermcfadyen.co.uk
An appearance on a postage stamp is possibly ‘a first’ for the pre-war Morris Minor. In 2023 The Republique du Niger Post Office released a 650 Franc stamp (.85p Stirling), featuring a 1930 Morris Minor Coachbuilt Saloon. The image is almost certainly of a saloon which is ‘alive and well’ and located in Scotland.
David Rushton’s 1930 MG M Type Midget (PJ 7970) unexpectedly came to a halt while he was taking part in last December’s VSCC Winter Driving Tests at Bicester. Help was close at hand as can be seen in this Peter McFadyen photo. (https://petermcfadyen.co.uk)
George Rodford has entered his 1931 Morris Minor Two-seater (TP 9995) for the VSCC’s New Year Driving Tests at Brooklands on Sunday 28th January. This represents a ‘first’ for a S.V. £100 Morris Minor, as until now no S.V. Minors have entered this event following the model’s VSCC eligibilty acceptance in December 2017. Are there any other S.V. Minor owners up for the challenge? (Photo: courtesy Peter McFadyen. Website: https://petermcfadyen.co.uk)
The Network’s 14th annual rally is now less than six months away. Located in the beautiful county of Somerset, home to ‘the Levels’, it’s hardly surprising that the entry list is filling up rapidly. If you are considering joining us over the weekend of 7th-9th June then don’t procrastinate for too long. Just complete the entry form and send it to our Scrumpy Rally hosts. Chris & Sue Hipwood.
David Dunnell owns this distinctive Morris Minor Properts bodied roadster special. Its body was built in Australia in 1929 and was exported (or should that be re-imported?) from Oz to the UK almost a decade ago, It’s seen here on 29th May 2023 at the Tiefi Valley Vintage Show in Wales with David at the controls. (Photo Barry Adams)
There are large tracts of the U.K. where the New Year’s Day weather is set fair – certainly good enough to give your car a winter airing. There are pub meets up and down the country so why not clear your head from the effects of the New Year revelries and go for a spin. Don’t forget to take some photos!
…of a time when the weather was much warmer, the days longer and our cars were regularly in use. Here Joe Barnett and his son traverse the lane alongside the Eyebrook Reservoir in their 1933 Minor Two-seater (BZ 1631) while taking part in the Network’s 2023 Welland Valley Rally in Rutland. If that looks like your idea of fun, then join us on our 2024 Scrumpy Rally which will be held in Chard, Somerset next June. Just scroll down this page for more details and a link to the booking form.
It is thanks to Peter Brock‘s photo editing skills, that this colour rendition of the 1930 Swallow bodied Morris Minor saloon appears here. The photo was originally taken in the autumn of 1930 in Albany Street, London N.W. 1, not far from Swallow’s southern disributors (Henly’s Ltd) main showroom on the corner of Euston Road. The car was first mentioned by the motoring press in a November 1930 edition of The Autocar with a further mention and a photograph in a February 1931 article in the same journal entitled, ‘Types of bodies’. No further information has been subsequently found and the car’s fate is therefore unknown. (LATplate Red 8916 courtesy of Motorsport Images)
The VSCC’s Winter Driving Tests are traditionally the club’s last event of the year, usually taking place early in December. This year the event lived up to its name with thick frost and freezing fog making the test conditions on the former RAF airfield at Bicester even more difficult as a result. Here, Duncan Buck puts his 1930 Morris Minor Semi-Sports special (BS 9400) through its paces, bravely driving sans gloves and a hat! (Photo: Catherine Buck)
The 2024 edition of the Pre-war Minor Network calendar, featuring memorable images from all 13 annual rallies held to date is now in stock. The calendar is available in two versions, these being: Standard size A4 per page, and: Extra large A3 per page. Prices including U.K. postage & packing are A4 £14.40, and A3 £15.49. To order, email chris@prewarminor.com providing postal address details. Payment via PayPal (to chris@prewarminor.com) is preferred although other payment options are available upon request.
Paul Gregory has recently fitted LED lights to his 1930 MG M Type bodied Morris Minor special (PG 2676). While many decry the use of this lighting on pre-war vehicles, for a host of differing reasons, surely improved lighting will ensure that our fragile vehicles are clearly visible to other road users when venturing out after dark.
This beautifully restored Morris Minor Two-seater O8V 1843 was registered in the UK on 1st July 1933. In December 2022 Jan Wohlmuth from Semily in the Czech Republic purchased the car and set about its restoration, finishing his project very recently. Congratulations Jan on bringing another pre-war Minor back to a roadworthy condition! Jan follows in the footsteps of Lubomir Pixsa in becoming the second Czech Republic Pre-war Minor Network member.
This 1934 season Morris Minor Saloon (PC 1232) was exported to New Zealand in late 1933 and is currently resident on the country’s North Island where it will shortly be offered for sale. According to Networker John McDonald it has been in storage for several years during which time its registration has lapsed, thus making it an expensive proposition to re-register as it will need to be formally inspected and passed as roadworthy before NZ’s Ministry of Transport will permit a new registration to be issued.
Ten years ago this website was reporting the sale and transfer of 1934 Morris Minor Saloon (DG 8657) from the custody of Norfolk Network member Andy Brown to the ownership of another long-term member Kenneth Allen in Woking, Surrey. Two other regular’s names crop up in the newstream, those of Alister Reid (Highlander on the forum) and John Nagle, who’s restoration of his 1934 Two-seater (OW 4224) received acclaim at the Classic Car Show which was being held at the NEC in Birmingham at that time.
EV 5204 is an Essex registered 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater currently owned owned by John Whalley. While this photo of ‘Evie’ was only taken recently, a casual observer would be hard-pressed to find any 21st century references or clues in this very period looking photograph.(Although could that be a Sky dish above the parasol?)
Following a short break in service, the Network’s forum is now available once again. www.prewarminorforum.com
This 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater (chassis SV12577) has been resident in the U.S.A. for many years but is about to be auctioned in Kansas City. The car formerly carried a Dublin registration (ZI 8647) and until its shipment to the U.S. was owned by Network member Sam Christie, in Belfast.
1934 Morris Minor Two-seater (JO 9088) is currently subject to an online auction being run by well known auctioneers H&H. The car has hardly seen any use over the past 50 years yet appears to run well. There are plenty of high resolution images and a video to view on the H&H auction site here. The car is unusual in that it has been modified to include a lid to gain access to the boot without the need to lower the rear of the seat to do so. More can be found about this car and others currently for sale by joining our Discussion Forum here.
Brian Aket at the VSCC has galvanised the non-competitive element within the club by putting together a comprehensive nationwide program of regionally based tours. This great photo of the ex – Dan Brockway 1933 Morris Minor Two-seater (APC 484) was taken by Phil Jones during the recent VSCC Somerset Tour, yet another new event to the calendar. Although the VSCC’s 2024 schedule of events is yet to be published, there is every chance that one of their well organised tours will take place next year not too far away from where you live. While the name of the driver of APC 484 is unknown it was entered by Tom Palmer. (Image Phil Jones via Mike Tebbett)
Tony Adlard forwarded this image of a 1929 Holden bodied Morris Minor roadster (ZZD 067). It was taken in Brisbane, Queensland last month at a British Car show. These Australian Two-seater roadsters preceded by two years the launch of the very similarly shaped £100 Minor in the U.K. (Photo: John Adlard)
As a rule the Network’s Far Eastern autumn pub meets have been blessed with good weather, the 2023 version (thankfully) continuing that trend. After a meandering amble around half a dozen of Suffolk’s beautiful villages those attending exercised their jaws outside the Cross Keys pub in Redgrave in preparation for the lunch that followed. Here, Mike Summers arrives in his 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater (OJ 1865).
The Network’s Far Eastern pub meet takes place on Sunday 8th October at the Cross Keys, Redgrave, Suffolk IP22 1RW. Those wishing to take part in the short circular 23 mile tour should plan to be in the pub car park by no later than 11:00 AM which should ensure a return around noon. All pre-war cars and their crews are welcome.
This unusual looking 1934 Morris Minor homebuilt special (AHT 359) is listed for sale on both the carandclassic website and on eBay. Its carandclassic asking price is £4950 illustrating the current affordability of pre-war cars. To find this and seven other ‘available to buy’ Morris Minors visit this website’s forum.
Geof Wilson’s 1929 Morris Minor Wasp special (MM 9326) is seen here sitting in the Shelsley Walsh paddock prior to making an ascent of the famous Worcestershire hill last month. Geof has prepared a bucket list of motor sporting venues to which he wants to take ‘The Wasp’, with Shelsley being close to the top!
Tony Farrar’s 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater (PXS 647) has been out and about once again. It’s seen here parked alongside AA box no.573, which is located near Garrowby Hill on the A166 between York and Driffield. The box is protected by its Grade II Listed Building status as are the majority of similiar remaining boxes.
This well looked after specimen of a 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater (OW 1920) has been in the custodianship of Lewes, East Sussex resident Peter Weston for many years. It’s fair to say that the salt laden sea air has little chance of getting to work on the metalwork of this car as it leads a cossetted life in Peter’s garage. Peter is particularly proud of many of the car’s fixtures and fittings, including a 1930’s cast rear numberplate.
Well over 200 hits are recorded on this website’s homepage every day indicating that there are plenty of enthusiasts of the pre-war Morris Minor, the first MG Midget and the Wolseley Hornet out there. Updating the homepage with images of these cars is a challenge when few submit photos for publication. If you have been out and about in your car and have taken a pic or two while doing so then please consider submitting them to the website for publication. Email them to info@prewarminor.com and the likelihood is that it will appear here very soon afterwards.
Lubomir Piksa has been flying the flag for the pre-war Morris Minor in the Czech Republic for many years. He owns this 1932 Two-seater (03V-1450) model and takes part in local and national rallies. Lubomir, his wife and Minor are seen here on a very quiet stretch of road, while participating in such an event last August.
It was an early September wedding for Chris Barrand‘s daughter, with Chris’s 1932 Morris Minor Saloon (EV 5568) providing the transportation to convey the bride to the ceremony. Little did the bride know that earlier in the week ‘Eavie’ had effectively become a three-wheeler until Ian Harris Morris Spares stepped in and saved the big day!
Among the four debutant crews at this year’s Welland Valley Rally were brothers Joachim and Joseph Barnett. Both of them are seen in this shot taken alongside Eyebrook Reservoir, with Joseph leading in his 1934 Morris Minor Two-seater (TJ 4258) while Joachim follows on in ‘Buzz’ (BZ 1631) his 1933 County Down registered version of the same model.
The ex Peter McCall and Tony Gamble 1931 Morris Minor Fire Tender replica is being auctioned by Bonham’s at the Beaulieu International Autojumble on 2nd September. If you are intending to bid please read the following statement from Bonham’s carefully: “Please note that this car was not discovered but was constructed as a replica of the original Fire Engine from a donor car when it was apparent that the originals did not exist. The original registration was re-issued by the DVLA but the vehicle should be considered a replica of the Morris Motors Fire Engine, built to a high standard with numerous period features. In light of this information the estimate has been revised to £14,000 – £18,000.”
This delightful 1933 Morris Minor Saloon (AM-96-99) remains for sale in the Netherlands at 13K euros. Find it here on the prewarcar website.
First registered in April 1929 this Morris Minor Tourer (WL 6501) has been stored for many years. Networker Stuart Clark has now purchased the car with the intention of carrying out a full restoration on this nickel rad example. The website’s forum will track his progress over the coming months. (www.prewarminorforum.com)
TV 7166 started life as a 1933 Nottingham City Borough Council registered Morris Family Eight Saloon. In the post-war years it led a chequered existence as these four images reveal. Thankfully it was purchased in recent times by Carolynne Campbell who has restored its mechanicals and constructed a special body for the car which now bears the appropriate name of “Maurice the mongrel.”
Martin Redmond is selling his VSCC competition hardened 1930 Morris Minor Semi-Sports trials special (BS 9400). It’s currently advertised on eBay here, although you’ll need to be quick as he is listening to offers on his advertised £5K asking price.
The V.S.C.C. held a Vintage Motor Sport Festival at Donington Park on the 9th of July last. Among the cars scheduled to compete was the ex-Mike Jones 1930 Morris Minor Semi-Sports (JN 570), now owned and entered by the former VSCC President, Paul Tunnicliffe. This superb image was captured during the practice session. Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, the car didn’t make it to the grid. (Image copyright – Peter McFadyen)
This photo could be a metaphor for the UK’s summer! Here George Rodford in his 1931 Morris Minor Two-seater (TP 9995) picks his way across the River Arrow near Coughton, the waters swollen by the recent heavy rain. The photo was taken by Peter McFadyen during the Vintage Minor Register’s Pre-war Prescott Sunday Tour.
The Peter Hills-owned 1929 Morris Minor Tourer (DS 9936 M10229) is back in the United Kingdom following its recent expedition to Africa. It’s seen here in Suffolk after being unloaded from its temporary shipping container home for the past six weeks, which it shared with four other historic vehicles.
Mick Roberts and his wife Judith proudly stand alongside the £100 Morris Minor prototype (JO 764) following its three-year restoration which Mick completed in the early months of 2023. His workmanship and attention to detail are breathtaking, Mick’s efforts thoroughly deserving of the club’s premier award, The Harry Edwards Trophy for 2023. (Many more images of the newly restored car can now be found on the Network’s Discussion Forum here.)
Paul Page is a very talented man. He built this replica of the Red Minor Skinner Special over a 15-month period using images and details from contemporary articles, many of these unearthed on the Pre-war Minor Network website. He constructed it for his friend John Penniston who began the process many years ago. The car and its constructor will shortly feature in an article for a forthcoming edition of Morris Monthly, the in-house magazine for members of the Morris Register.
Located in East Berks, the Yattendon Classic Vehicle Day took place on the 25th of June. This internet-sourced image of 1933 Morris Minor Saloon (AV 5919) was taken at the event with its unknown owner standing alongside. This and other photographs to be found on the internet indicate that it was very well attended and blessed with ideal weather.
This line-up of Morris Minors in the paddock at Prescott in Gloucestershire is a scene unlikely to be repeated in the near future as the Pre-war Prescott event is being moved to the Bicester Heritage Centre in Oxfordshire from 2024 onwards (Presumably to be re-named Pre-war Bicester?). Here we see George Rodford’s 1931 Two-seater, Alistair Bond’s 1930 Semi-Sports and Peter Gregory’s special alongside an unidentified 1931 Tourer. More photos from this event can be found at the foot of this page here. (All Pre-war Prescott photos courtesy of Alistair Bond)
Polly Vacher owns OG 8580, a 1931 £100 Morris Minor Two-seater, first registered in Birmingham on 7th March 1931. The car carries chassis number SV 107 and has been in her custodianship since 1966. ‘OG’ has spent part of its life in the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, while Polly continues to use the car on a regular basis.
Morris Minor Semi-Sports models appear on the market infrequently as there are only 16 known (genuine) survivors. Here we have two for sale, both of which have been re-bodied by their current owner, one as a trials special, while the second fabric-skinned road-going car has a VSCC trials history as has its metal-skinned sibling. More details concerning their sale along with the spares package that goes with them can be found on our forum at www.prewarminorforum.com
The fields of East Anglia are rapidly taking on a golden hue as the crops ripen in the strong summer sunlight. Here, agriculture greets the motorist at almost every bend in the road, be it a slow-moving tractor, a field irrigation system spraying water into the lane or an escaped pig ambling across the carriageway.
The Grimsthorpe Speed Trials near Bourne in Lincolnshire is firmly establishing itself on the vintage motoring calendar with its third annual running taking place on the 1st of July. With a full entry list of 100 vehicles (three of which were pre-war Morris Minors), its simple format has been a hit with both competitors and spectators alike. Here Phil Parry-Jones is attired in full safety equipment before taking to the strip in his 1934 Morris Minor Two-seater (BG 1915).
The Grimsthorpe Speed Trials produced a huge and welcome surprise with the appearance of a replica of the Red Skinner Special, the original of which was campaigned by Peter Skinner through a large part of the Thirties decade. No further details are known at present. (Image courtesy of Phil Parry-Jones)
Very little is known about these internet-sourced images of an Australian OHC Morris Minor Special apart from the name of its owner, David Neville. The front of the body looks original as indicated by the shape of the doors, while the rear tub could be glass fibre and a much later addition. The likelihood is that the car was either one of the original 500 Minors exported to Oz in late 1928/early 1929 or a 1930 import. If any more is known about this car then please email info@prewarminor.com
Driving vintage cars through picturesque countryside is a wonderful experience for the passenger, while much of what is on view is missed by the driver. Here, Avril Ovenden permits herself a fleeting glance at Eyebrook Reservoir as she passes by in her 1931 Morris Minor Two-seater (KJ 3553) while her husband Tim watches out for potholes! Photo: Norma Lambert
At this time of year, it remains daylight long into the night hours the closer you get to the North Pole. This shot of Networkers Jonathan Barwick and Rick Osborne was taken after the pubs closed in Dunoon last Wednesday evening. Not too surprising as Dunoon is just 700 miles south of the Arctic Circle.
The after rally dinner awards ceremony has been hosted by Ken Martin from the very first rally onwards. By accident, or maybe by design Ken does not appear in any of these images of award winners, noting of course that the photographer is Ken’s wife, Kate. The full list of award winners appear on the Network’s Discussion Forum. Find it here: www.prewarminorforum.com (All images – Kate Martin)
A second large batch of photos have been added to the new Rally Gallery earlier today capturing moments from last weekend’s sun-drenched event. Here Janie Maeers daughter Georgie pilots her mother’s 1929 Morris Minor Tourer (VJ 1756) while Karishma Lunia, the Network’s guest of honour for the weekend, acknowledges the dexterity of Tickal the family lurcher who also managed to snap a ‘selfie’.
The first 70 images from last weekend’s rally can now be viewed here.
The Marquess of Exeter‘s car park was a sight to behold last Saturday morning with over 30 pre-war cars crammed into the Inn’s courtyard. Just over 30 minutes later it was deserted as the rallyists had left to take to the Rutland byways on a route planned by Janie Maeers and Geof Wilson for the Network’s Welland Valley Rally.
The onset of summer and the opportunity for leisurely ‘top down’ motoring along quiet byways make it an ideal time to buy a vintage car. If you are considering a pre-war Morris Minor, then there is plenty of choice, the six shown above are just a sample of those currently available. To learn more join our forum www.prewarminorforum.com and view the large selection to be found under the Cars For Sale banner.
Keeping a photographic record of your pride & joy is a right of passage for those lucky enough to own one of these vintage vehicles. Chris Healey (See Headline News of 25th May) has recently completed a lengthy restoration of PN 8659 a 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater and is seen here taking a photo outside the local Morris Register noggin venue. (Photo: Mike Adams)
Chris Healey has owned his 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater (PN 8659) for circa 40 years, the tail-end of the Mini-Metro ‘City’ in the left hand shot providing a clue to the timescale involved. Although it was a long process his Minor is now roadworthy and is going through the de-snagging stage as seen in the r/h image at a recent local Morris Register noggin in Essex.
Phil Parry-Jones has owned his 1934 Morris Minor Two-seater (BG 1915) for 50 years. His own children have travelled extensively in the car while in 2023 it’s the turn of the grandchildren (Owen, Minnie & Morgan) to enjoy the thrills of open-topped motoring in an ancient automobile. For the health & safety conscious, the four-up trip was carried out over a distance of a few yards in Phil’s back garden.
Joe Rayner’s 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater (ZV 83851) is seen here left unattended by the roadside alongside his property ‘somewhere in the R.O.I.’ Well not quite – his two donkeys appear to be keeping a watchful eye on all who pass by, ready to bray a warning which does coincidently sound rather like a police siren…
Both Ian Judd and Halbe Tjepkema forwarded this superb Facebook-sourced wartime photo of 1931 Carlisle registered Morris Minor Semi-Sports (HH 5625). It was taken in the spring of 1941 at RAF Kirton in Lindsey, North Lincs. The Hawker Hurricane aircraft belonged to 71 (Eagle) Squadron R.A.F. just prior to the Squadron’s move south to Martlesham Heath in Suffolk in April of that year. 71 Squadron was staffed by American personnel who had joined the R.A.F. before the U.S.A. had entered the conflict. Therefore, we know that the five flying crew members to be seen here are all ‘Yanks’. Let’s hope that when they ventured off base in their Minor they remembered which side of the road to drive upon! (The original b&w image was taken by Hans Wild for Life Magazine and colourised by ‘Doug’ at DBC Colour)
Duncan and Catherine Buck along with their CMS special replica (VG 3260) took the opportunity to ‘gatecrash’ the Morris Register’s border country excursion and met up with forumists Martin Gregory and Ken Martin along with their respective other halves, Jean and Kate. Missing from this photo is another Networker in the shape of Toby (along with Linda) Sears who were elsewhere when this photo was taken.
Ann Riglar has once again organised the Morris Register’s West Region annual foray to the wilds of South Western England. On this occasion, she has taken them further north to the border country between England and Wales (the location of the Network’s 2021 Marches Rally which didn’t take place – or did it?). This Toby Sears photo shows his 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater (PJ 5155) and Ken Martin’s 1930 Coachbuilt Saloon (VX 4590) heading a select array of Morris models in their hotel’s car park.
As correctly predicted by all the weather apps, it rained heavily on St. George’s Day on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, mainly over lunchtime! Unfortunately, that affected the number of vehicles and crews attending the Network’s Far Eastern Spring Pub Meet. However, ten Networkers eventually splashed their way to the Cross Keys in Redgrave where the downpour meant proceedings took place in the bar, an almost unprecedented occurrence! Here, three of the four cars that made it are pictured outside the pub just before the rain arrived.
This coming June, the 2023 Welland Valley Rally tourists will pay a return visit to Eye Brook Reservoir, a designated S.S.S.I. that straddles the Rutland – Leicestershire border. All seven rallyists seen in this 2017 Rutland Rally photo have entered for the 2023 event and could re-enact this Ken Martin photo should it take their fancy!
Frank Ashley, one of the founding members of the Morris Eight Tourer Club (later the Morris Register) has died after a protracted illness. Apart from his passion for the Morris Register, Frank was also a member of both the Triple M Register and VSCC where he competed in his 1929 MG M Type Midget with notable success. Condolences go to his partner Thelma and family. (Photo Norma Lambert)
Cars owned by members Steve Lewsley and Philip Butland featured on the website’s home page ten years ago this month. Philip had begun restoring his 1931 £100 Two-seater (TF 4293), while Steve was approaching the end of his conversion of a Morris Minor Saloon to an MG Midget replica (SL 9739). Both members still own their cars, Steve finishing his project later that year, while Philips admits to being sidetracked by the purchase of a Wolseley Hornet special in project form which he has now finished and uses on a regular basis.
For sale M29128 VJ 3156 (body no 312) Morris Minor Semi-Sports. First registered on 10th October 1930. One of 744 built with 16 recorded survivors. Of these, just a handful are currently roadworthy. Four registered owners to date. The car was rebuilt/restored in the late eighties at Ashton Keynes Vintage Restorations in Swindon using the original body timbers as templates. Receipts and photographs of the rebuild are all held within the car’s history folder. The car is fitted with hydraulic brakes and a four-speed part-synchro gearbox. Its original three-speed gearbox will come with the car as will the original propshaft which has been replaced by a universally jointed Hardy-Spicer unit manufactured by Bailey-Morris. The car’s all-weather gear (including a tonneau cover) was custom-made by Morgan specialist Allon White in Cranfield, Beds. A detachable luggage rack is also included. The tyres are Blockley 400 x 19s except for the spare which is a Dunlop. The engine is equipped with MG M Type ancillaries, manifold, rocker cover and sump along with an inch and an eighth SU carburetter. It runs without a cooling fan. VSCC buff form issued. Well over 20,000 miles covered in my 17-year ownership. Its history from August 2008 until the present day can be viewed here https://prewarminorforum.com/vj-3156-1930-morris-minor-semi-sports-t7.html. Plenty of photographs can be found via a forum search or by looking through the event galleries here on the website. The non-negotiable asking price is £15,000. To view contact chris@prewarminor.com
There was an excellent Minor entry at the recent VSCC LC&ES Welsh Weekend with eight cars taking part. Here four of that contingent negotiate a tricky road junction on Saturday’s tour, while those who stayed on for Sunday’s trial faced some even tougher obstacles in the shape of steep, muddy Welsh hillsides. (Photo Phil Jones)
The Morris Register stand at The Classic Car & Restoration Show, currently underway at the NEC in Birmingham, England features two Morris Minors at differing stages of their restoration. The 1931 £100 Minor on the left (UF 7766) is owned by Network member Stuart Clark from Bromsgrove while the green-painted car is being exhibited by Morris Register member John Bowen from Birmingham.
Ken Martin took this photo of the Red Skinner Special at Prescott in July 2011. The original version of this car had a supercharged Minor S.V. engine under its bonnet starting life as the £100/100 mph/100 mpg record-breaking car before being converted to compete at speed events in the very capable hands of Peter Skinner. In 1937 it was heavily modified to permit the installation of a 4.2-litre Hudson Straight Eight engine and was driven by both Skinner siblings at Shelsley in 1938/39. After the war, Ted Lloyd-Jones bought the car, before carrying out further body modifications in 1947, its final revised appearance evidenced here. The car is now owned by Burlen, custodians of the SU brand who use it for promotional purposes.
The world-famous steam locomotive Flying Scotsman, now in its centenary year, is currently visiting the East Lancs Railway and was captured on camera at Summerseat by Anthony Haworth who took along his slightly younger (by eleven years) 1934 Morris Minor Two-seater (AAO 426), thus making for a very period looking image.
Most 90-year-old items are treasured, cossetted and only wheeled out when conditions are favourable. That adage certainly applies to our pre-war cars, the majority of owners only using them when the sun shines and the roads are dry. It is of course unnecessary and sometimes impossible, particularly if you are away from home as was the case here when the quayside at Wells-next-the-sea was rain and windswept while the crews were on a weekends foray to the North Norfolk coast back in 2013.
On the 2nd of July 2014, a long-anticipated match-up of an Austin Seven and Morris Minor under test conditions took place on the perimeter track of the 100th Bomb Group Museum’s Thorpe Abbotts airfield. The adjudicator was Matthew Bell from The Automobile magazine. Flying the Minor flag that day was VJ 1756, a 1929 Morris Minor Tourer (Prudence) owned by Janie Maeers. This unusual view of Janie’s car was taken from the roof of the airfield’s ‘watch tower’ just prior to the test sessions taking place. The inconclusive report of proceedings that day eventually appeared in the November 2014 edition of The Automobile.
June and our annual rally is just four months away. If you haven’t yet booked a slot for the 2023 Welland Vally Rally then don’t delay, just a few remain.
Coming soon – More news on the Network’s 2023 Welland Valley Rally. Have you booked your spot yet? (Photo – Ken Martin)
There is definitely a hint of spring in the air. The sun is a little higher in the sky, the mercury has scaled the heights to reach a giddy 10 degrees Celsius, the snowdrops are in full bloom and the birds are in a boisterous mood. It has to be time to remove the dust sheets and go for a spin. (Don’t forget to take a camera!)
After a quiet autumn and early winter, there are signs that the vintage car marketplace is beginning to stir once again. There are more ‘For sale’ ads on the usual websites, these usually heralding a flurry of activity in the early spring as buyers look to find a car for the long summer days ahead. Both of these cars have recently changed hands, and while one won’t be on the roads this summer, the other most definitely will. Find out more by joining our forum at www.prewarminorforum.com
Seen here on 1st February 1933 are Alan Gilg and Walter Kay who are about to set off from Liverpool to drive to Cape Town, South Africa in their standard specification Morris Minor Tourer (HF 8547). Just over five months later on 8th July, they arrived at their destination having covered 13,370 miles. During this epic trip and while crossing the Sahara Desert they encountered another Morris Minor heading in the opposite direction and travelling back to Buckinghamshire! So here’s to the exploits of Gilg and Kay on the 90th anniversary of their great adventure.
The VSCC’s Brooklands Driving Tests were held on 29th January under grey skies. For those of us in the pre-war Morris Minor community Eleanor Rolfe, driving a 1930 Morris Minor Tourer (UR 7238) brought some much-needed brightness to the proceedings with some skilful and entertaining driving. Lots more images of the event here.
Two Morris Minors and their crews are captured through John Whalley’s camera lens as they are about to leave Pakenham Watermill on the outward leg of the Network’s ‘Big Skies’ Rally Saturday tour on the morning of Saturday 11th June 2022. The cars are a 1931 Two-seater (KJ 3553) with Tim and Avril Ovenden on board, while seated in a 1934 Two-seater (XVS 837) are Tony and June Adlard.
1929 Morris Minor Special (MM 9326) ‘Wilson’s Wasp’ will soon be seen competing at speed events in 2023. Owner Geof Wilson has just received his Motorsport U.K. Novice’s competition licence and intends to take the car to some of the UK’s top historic racing venues, including Shelsley Walsh, Prescott and Mallory Park over the coming twelve months. Minorists everywhere will follow his progress with keen interest!
If you haven’t already done so, it really is time to start thinking about entering our 2023 Welland Valley Ralley. Just a few slots remain available. An entry form can be found here.
The editorial Morris Minor Arrow replica (BF 9025) has recently returned to Suffolk following a spell in Kendal, Cumbria where it underwent an essential engine modification in the skilled hands of enthusiast, Garry Waiting. The car’s first outing since then has now very satisfactorily taken place, although under far from ideal driving conditions, with near freezing temperatures and filthy roads. Perhaps choosing a white fabric for the lower body was not such a good idea after all.
In 2011 Paul Palmer contacted the Network with news of a 1931 S.V. Morris Minor (UP 5286). Since that time nothing has been heard and the car may still be locked away in the same garage. At one stage in its post-war life this car’s owner was a Morris Register member as the badge attached to the front bumper testifies. How many more remain uncared for and in a similar condition?
Despite the unpredictable weather Jonathan Barwick has been using his Morris Minor Two-seater (RSJ 615) and making the most of the intermittent winter sunshine on offer. Here, his Minor is seen parked-up outside Salwarpe Church, Worcs while the driver uses the heat retained in his smartphone to warm his fingers.
T’was the season to be joyful… Plenty of Minor activity over the holiday period captured here in four images from across the U.K. Top left Ali Bond can be seen alongside his 1930 Minor Semi-Sports (IA 9142) on Boxing Day somewhere deep in South Wales. Much further north in Dunoon, Scotland Rick Osborne gave his 1932 Minor Family Eight (OJ 1041) a New Year’s Eve run along a coastal highway. Over 400 miles south-east of Dunoon, in Bardwell, West Suffolk nine Networkers met up for a New Year’s day natter at the Grumpy Goat, while 170 miles west in Much Marcle, Herefordshire Barry Ashton took his 1932 Minor Two-seater (CAS 688) to the VSCC meet at the Royal Oak.
The discovery of one unrecorded Minor is cause for great celebration but to find a trio of cars from across the globe is not only unprecedented, but warrants a burst of the Hallelujah Chorus! Chris Chapman (UK), Colin Mcculloch (NZ) and Aksel Bech (Denmark) were the correspondents who brought these cars to the attention of the Network and all have interesting histories. The three lower images are all of the same vehicle, the bottom right shot depicting the car as it is today. The car started life as a 1933 Two-seater and as can be seen was heavily modified at one point utilising a donor saloon body to create a coupe special. The top left hand image is of a cut-away 1933 Minor Saloon, which is currently undergoing restoration at the hands of Colin Mcculloch in Christchurch New Zealand. These two 1933 cars were both constructed at Cowley within a few weeks of one another. Chris Chapman is the grandson of long term Morris Register member Malcolm Chapman. For reasons unknown Malcolm’s 5 cwt van has long been unrecorded by the register, last appearing in the seventies. That omission will now be corrected.
This Ken Martin photo is dated the 13th July 2008 and shows a line up of Minors on the Southwold sea front parked-up behind the famous multi-coloured beach huts. It was taken on the Sunday leg of the VMR’s Annual Rally. Gordon Brown was PM, George W. Bush was still in the White House and some of the rallyists still had hair.
With December’s sub-zero temperatures persisting for days on end here in the U.K., the prospect of ‘top down’ motoring over the Christmas and New Year holiday period may cause an involuntary shiver for those planning on attending one of the many scheduled old car meets. Fortunately, plenty of Minorists have the Network’s annual rally to look forward to next June, when (we hope) the sun will be shining and the Welland Valley will be looking its best. To remind us of what it’s like, here is a photo of Roger Lucke piloting 1933 Morris Minor Two-seater (AFZ 323) around the Cambridgeshire lanes on a late spring morning a few years back.
The team at Motorsport Images have now declared the results of this year’s PWMN Photograph of the Year Competion, with this image entitled ‘An evening run in July’ being accorded the top accolade. Clearly a ‘brown envelope’ job! The full results can be found here.
This much travelled 1929 Morris Minor Tourer (SV 9789) has found a new owner having been available to purchase for over a year. In the meantime it has been subject to an engine transplant, losing its original Minor OHC unit only for it to be replaced by a 918cc Morris Eight SV engine. Network member Andrew Miles, the car’s new custodian intends using ‘SV’ at the 2023 PWMN Welland Vally Rally to be held in the East Midlands next June. (Photo Simon North)
… it’s simplicity itself and it’s free! Visit the 2022 POTY Competition page here to read the very few rules alongside the ‘How to enter’ blurb. CLOSES MIDNIGHT (GMT) 30th NOVEMBER
This unidentified 1933 Morris Minor Two-seater was caught by the camera on the road to Tjoloholm in Sweden where they hold a huge annual classic car event. The 2023 show is being held in May and much more information can be found at the event’s website here.
Simon Hodgins in Surrey owns this beautiful and very rare 1933 Morris Minor Jensen Special (EC 9783). In the late norties the Jensen was regularly campaigned by Simon, the car taking part in at least two VMR rallies, although it has seldom been seen since. It was photographed here on an overcast July afternoon on the perimeter track at Thorpe Abbotts, Norfolk while taking part in the 2008 VMR Airfields Rally. The car is unusual in that it has been retro-fitted with a Morris Minor OHC engine and radiator and also wears a 1931 Westmorland registration. (Photo Ken Martin)
Those in our community who use their car’s all-year-round certainly need good lighting equipment, as that fitted in the thirties is totally inadequate for today’s driving conditions. Trevor Wilkinson has further adapted his 1934 Morris Minor Two-seater (UN 6979) by fitting these two led ‘driving lights’.
This homebuilt OHC Morris Minor Two-seater (MQJ 678) started life as a Fabric Saloon and was then exported to New Zealand in 1929. It has led a chequered life but was restored to running order by member ‘DavidG‘ from Napier, who is now offering it for sale on the NZ auction site, Trade Me. With almost two $NZ’s to the pound sterling, this may well represent an opportunity for a keen Minorist to repatriate the car the 11.5K miles back to the UK.
Rik Osborne recently took his 1932 Morris Family Eight (OJ 1041) on an 80 mile round trip from Dunoon to Inverarary and back. Rik reports that apart from a couple of minor hic-cups (pun absolutely intended!) the car ran well despite its load of three adults, added to by the weight of three substantial lunches (courtesy of the George Hotel) for the return journey.
The Network’s 2022 POTY Competition launches today (31st October). What better time than now to find those favourite images of your pre-war Morris Minor, M.G. M Type Midget or Wolseley Hornet and email them to info@prewarminor.com. Entry remains open until late in November. The rules, such as they are, can be found here. The competition is free to enter, so DON’T DELAY – ENTER TODAY!
Hidden beneath the dustsheet on this transporter is a 1934 season Morris Minor Two-seater (MU 8237). The transporter was leaving the UK and heading for Cork in Ireland where new owner John Collins was anxiously awaiting its arrival. The car was rebuilt and owned for many years by Jack Prior from Saffron Walden who then gave the car away to a relative in the late eightees. The Minor eventually resurfaced in 2013 and was sold on. John is keen to return the car to its original colour of blue and is aware of the many different variations and interpretations of that colour to be found on other Minors of the period.
For those looking to buy a pre-war Morris Minor there are currently at least half a dozen available in the U.K. If you reside in mainland Europe examples can be found for sale in France and Germany, along with this pair located in the Netherlands. Full details can be found on our discussion forum here.
These days it is unusual to see a pre-war Morris Minor taking part in a competitive event, with just a handful of owners using their cars this way. By way of a comparison, in the early years of the last decade there were at least twenty cars regularly taking part in trials, driving tests, rallies and hillclimbs. The addition of the S.V. Morris Minor to the VSCC’s PVT list a few years ago has made no impact what-so-ever on Minor entries to these competitions. In Australia, pre-war Minors are regularly photographed at similar events – these two images of Morris Minor specials were taken recently at the Collingwood Vintage Hillclimb in the Barossa Valley, South Australia.
This 1930 MG M Type Midget (2M/2147 BF 9519) has recently been subject to a complete rebuild at the hands of MG Triple M specialist Garry Waiting. Its full restoration story can be found in words and images on the Network’s Discussion Forum www.prewarminorforum.com Beautifully finished in blue over black with green leather upholstery it’s offered for sale at £18,000. To contact the seller email info@prewarminor.com in the first instance.
Two-seater Morris Minor fixed-head coupes were an extremely rare model type. The May 1930 edition of Modern Motor Body Building sought to correct that anomaly by publishing the image seen above, along with a set of dimensioned drawings of the model to aid those those wishing to attempt the project. These same drawings will soon be available to download on this website courtesy of Neil Truslove. A tempting proposition perhaps?
The owner of this car (VR 3586), describes it as a 1929 MG M Type. Much of the evidence points to it being a 1932 Morris Minor. What do you think it is? Contribute to the debate by accessing the Network’s forum at www.prewarminorforum.com(Image Toby Sears)
New member Steven Berryman owns these two ‘baby car’ specials. The vehicle on the left originated in a Longbridge, Birmingham factory before undergoing an Ulsteroid conversion at some point in its 90 year life. The Morris Minor on the right started out as a 1933 season Two-seater model before undergoing radical changes, probably in the fifties. The late Harry Edwards knew of the car, mentioning it in his hand written register, although just the chassis and engine numbers are recorded against the Lincolnshire registration (FW 3669).
DV 3600 is an early 1930 Devon registered Morris Minor Tourer. The car is currently in the custodianship of the Langford-Yates and is seen here at the Pre-war Prescott event last July. One half of this partnership is definitely enjoying the trip up Prescott’s hill, while Jo at the wheel is just intent on keeping all four tyres in contact with the tarmac.
The Mumbles is a headland and coastal resort in South Wales and within striking distance of Network member Ali Bond‘s home. A must visit feature is this 1930’s ice cream kiosk called the Big Apple, named thus in recognition of the cider manufacturer who built a string of similar kiosks through which to sell their potent brew. This one is the last surviving example and has just been granted ‘listed’ status by the local authority. Ali’s 1930 Morris Minor Semi-Sports (IA 9142) is also listed as a survivor by both the Morris and VMR registers.
The former Sam Christie, Tony Gamble and Chris Lambert owned 1930 MG Midget (GH 6758) is now back in the custodianship of Tony Gamble for a second time. In the six years the car has been away, his grand children have grown rapidly and Tony has wasted little time in getting them re-acquainted with his Midget.
Thanks to our volunteer hosts, Janie Maeers and Geof Wilson, we can today announce the launch of our 2023 ‘Welland Valley Rally’ weekend. The rally will be based in the village of Lyddington, Rutland and take place over the 9th-11th June next year. Lyddington boasts two inns, both of which will be utilised over the course of the three days, The Marquess of Exeter being the venue for our annual rally dinner. Between them the inns have 27 bookable rooms, so potentially just a short walk will be required after a glass of wine or two at the dinner. A rally page and booking form will follow shortly. Please note that entry is restricted to just 30 cars, so to avoid disappointment…
If you are looking for a hard to find part to complete a restoration or simply want to experience the hustle and bustle of Europe’s largest autojumble, then make a note of these dates and head south to Beaulieu over the weekend of 10th and 11th September. The Sear’s Emporium in the Red field on pitches R238 and R239 is well worth a visit and that spare part that you didn’t know you wanted could soon be yours.
‘Use it or lose it’ is a phrase the medical profession utter to patients of a certain age – the same could be said of machinery approaching its dotage. Rick Osborne’s 1932 Morris Minor Family Eight (OJ 1041) is actually 14 years older than the ‘Waverley’ paddle steamer, built in 1946 to replace her 1899 built predecessor, which was bombed and sank off Dunkirk in May 1940 with the loss of many lives. Rick took this photo shortly after the PS Waverley left Dunoon Pier, Scotland on one of its regular voyages.
The first ever right-hand drive Triumph TR2 to be built is currently touring the United Kingdom under the sponsorship of the Triumph TR Register and the publication Classic Car Weekly. One of the tour’s stopping off points was the former RAF airfield at Burn in North Yorkshire, where the local gliding club played host to the car and its entourage. Joining the party and stealing the show on a glorious July day was Tony Gamble’s 1930 Minor Arrow Sports Special (BF 9025).
Proof, if proof were needed that three heads are better than one! The Midlands based, brothers Barnett have been restoring their father’s 1934 Morris Minor Two-seater (TJ 4258) over the past three years or so. Good progress has been made of late with the restored bodywork now reunited with its chassis. The significance of the green hats is not known!
This 1932 Morris Minor season sliding-head Saloon has recently been spotted for sale in New Zealand by John McDonald, long-term friend of this website. The car, registered AH 9087 (SV7701), left Cowley in October 1931 bound for Outram, near Dunedin in the South Island. The saloon has been off the road since 1972 and is not known to either of the main registers. Let’s hope it finds a sympathetic purchaser soon.
The Pre-war Prescott event is centered around the historic hillclimb course which is owned and operated by the Bugatti Owners Club in Gloucestershire. Climbing the hill is normally resticted to those taking part in organised competitive events but on one Saturday in July each year the attendees at Pre-war Prescott get to climb the hill in their vintage cars without the need for crash helmets and racing overalls. Such is the demand for climbs that a queuing system operates. Here a smiling Richard and Sue Woodward good naturedly await their turn up the hill in BR 8606, their 1931 Morris Minor Two-seater. NB. Fifty images taken at the event have been uploaded and can be seen at the foot of the 2022 Event Galleries page.
Arguably, the most important product manufactured by the British motor industry, the Austin Seven, celebrates its centenary this month. The Morris Minor’s raison d’être when launched in the summer of 1928 was to capture sales from this phenomenon, something it successfully achieved, despite never outselling its nemesis.
Member Ali Bond owns both of these vehicles, seen here parked at the top of the picturesque Elan Valley. His 1930 Morris Minor Semi-Sports (IA 9142) along with his 100 year old New Imperial motorcycle (ridden by Ali’s brother) were taking part in the Johnny Thomas Memorial Weekend event which was based in Llandrindod Wells, Powys.
Last weekend’s VSCC Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb saw the appearance of a 1930 Morris Minor Coachbuilt Saloon (BF 9366) in the hallowed surroundings of that famous venue’s paddock. It’s highly unlikely that the saloon was entered as a competition vehicle, so what was it doing there? (Photo courtesy of Mike Tebbett)
Over the course of the Network’s recent rally weekend it wasn’t all go, go, go! There was plenty of time for taking in the scenery or simply making a detour from the published route. Here, Linda Sears relaxes in the shade while the family 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater (PJ 5155) cools off after a strenuous climb over one of East Anglia’s notorious hills.
Although the red Morris Fire Tender (UD 2682) on the right bears the same registration as the vehicle seen in the 1930 Auto Motor Journal magazine snippet on the left, one of the pair is an imposter. The car on the right is currently for sale on eBay and purports to be the restored original Morris Fire Tender as seen in the magazine cutting. It isn’t! It’s history is known and the non-transferable registration was re-allocated by the DVLA to the replica vehicle which was built from scratch in the seventies using a later spare chassis. The frame numbers of both the original (1929) and replica (1930) are known and recorded by the appropriate vehicle registers. The vendor has been made aware of his erroneous description. Caveat Emptor!
…it really is! Don’t just take our word for it, ask those who regularly attend. Here, Tony and June Adlard return to Pakenham Water Mill having completed Saturday’s tour in their 1934 Morris Minor Two-seater (XVS 837). If Tony’s expression is anything to go by then the Adlards’ think that it’s a great way to spend a late spring weekend! Look out for news of next year’s event which is being held over the weekend of 9th – 11th June 2023.
Venue: Pakenham Watermill. Date: 11th June 2022. Time: 9-00AM.
Trevor Wilkinson and Maggie Cheshire arrive at the Network’s rally H.Q. in UN 6979, their 1934 Morris Two-seater, just prior to the commencement of the 77 mile long Saturday Tour to the far reaches of Southern Suffolk. Meanwhile, Rupert (Alan Thompson’s scottie terrier) can also be seen simply looking for a lamp post or something very similar.
John Paternoster’s 1929 Morris Minor Tourer (SV 9091) drives carefully past a brace of horses just a few miles west of Saturday’s ‘Big Skies Rally’ lunch stop at Whatfield. This was to be the first of a series of identical encounters for the riders and their steeds as they continued along the narrow lane only to be confronted by a steady stream of rallyists, all following the same pre-planned route.
Rallies rarely follow the script! Just eight miles into our 2022 Big Skies Rally the lead touring vehicle encountered an emergency road closure which took the tourists about two miles off-piste. Here Dudley Stammers and Rachael Anderson in their 1933 Morris Minor Two-seater (KFF 165) turn sharply onto the diversionary loop around the unforeseen obstruction.
The ‘Big Skies’ rally dinner was held on the evening of Saturday 11th June, which concluded with the presentation of the club awards. Here Ken Martin is about to announce the winner of the Brian Maeers Claret Jug for 2022. To discover who won this and the Network’s other awards go to the our Discussion Forum.
The building of this beautiful unique replica of an Arrow Morris Minor Special (BF 9025) commenced eleven years ago when Garry Waiting built the body shell using contemporary photographs of the car as his template. Tony Gamble built up the rolling chassis when his other projects permitted and the car finally returned (for trimming) to Garry’s workshop in Cumbria earlier this year. The car eventually returned to Tony’s Yorkshire abode in May where the finishing touches of an Arrow motif and script were affixed to the radiator. One of a kind!
The previous Headline News item portrayed two Minors taking part in the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations held over the weekend (2nd-5th June). Seen here are Martin Gregory’s 1931 Coachbuilt Saloon (UF 7090) and Kenneth Allen’s 1932 Two-seater (OSL 976), both owners of which ensuring the big event wasn’t forgotten.
Although the weather really did not want to co-operate, most of the nation came out to play over the recent extended Queen’s Jubilee weekend. At least two Minors took part in the celebrations as pictured here. On the right is the Sears owned 1932 Two-seater (PJ 5155) while on the left is Stuart Clark’s 1930 Coachbuilt Saloon (WD 1430)
The 2015 rally took place over a glorious June weekend on the North Norfolk coast. In the days preceding the event it rained heavily and as a result the fords were full of water. Those taking part had a enjoyable time criss-crossing these watercourses, as can be seen by this great Kate Martin image of YG 2017, the Sears owned 1933 Morris Minor Saloon.
With a little over a week to go before the start of the Network’s 2022 rally all is (hopefully!) in place for a successful weekend of vintage motoring and socialising. This image was taken on the 2014 ‘Olde England’ rally (also held in Suffolk) and shows Janie Maeers and ‘Prudence’ somewhere off the beaten track during the Saturday tour. The cow was not amoosed!
Although it’s the tail-end of the month of May with the sun just a month away from its zenith, a cold northerly wind has been blowing across much of the U.K. Luckily, there are some hardy souls among the membership who have aired their cars despite despite the nip in the air. Seen here are Ali Bond’s 1930 Minor Semi-Sports (IA 9142) parked up outside Lougharne Castle in Wales, while Ken Martin’s 1930 Minor Coachbuilt Saloon (VX 4590) is overlooking another castle in the Berkshire countryside, this one of Downton Abbey fame, namely Highclere. Phil Parry-Jones meanwhile has parked his 1934 Minor Two-seater (BG 1915) alongside the moat protecting his home in the north country from those marauding hordes from the south.
Martin and Jean Gregory moved to Somerset from Northamptonshire (along with UF 7090 their 1931 Morris Minor Coachbuilt Saloon) during lockdown. They have since been discovering parts of the county in their Minor and recently signed up for the Classic & Historic Car Club Mendip Rally. UF 7090 is seen here parked up alongside a Morris Oxford Tourer and a Ford Model ‘A’ during a break in the weekend’s procedings.
Just three weeks remain before the Network’s 2022 Big Skies Rally ‘kicks off’ deep in the heart of Suffolk. The village of Kersey was last included on a Network tour in June 2014 and will feature once again on June 11th this year. Here Stuart & Glenda Clarke pilot their 1930 Morris Minor Coachbuilt Saloon (WD 1430) through the turbulent waters of Kersey Ford, as expertly photographed at that time by Kate Martin.
Sarah Gibson has owned this beautiful 1932 season McEvoy Minor Special (VK 6518) for many years. Throughout that period, it has been impeccably maintained and improved as required. Although not as yet connected, the performance from the car’s supercharger may lead to a requirement for further improvements in the car’s braking capability!
The Old Bull Inn at Inkberrow was a busy place over lunchtime (Sunday 8th May) when the VMR’s spring pub meet attracted a gaggle of Minors and plenty of other interesting vehicles. Here, Steve Kent’s Minor Tourer (MM 9385) is given the ‘once over’ by an interested band of enthusiasts. (Photo: Mike Tebbett)
It is with great sadness that I have to report the death of long-term member and friend of the Network, Kartikeya Lunia. Kartik suffered a stroke in July 2021, never regaining consciousness, passing away on 2nd May. Our thoughts are with Kartik’s family and his many friends in India. (Chris Lambert 3rd May 2022)
Over the last 30 years or so there are two Morris Minors that have almost certainly taken part in more competitive events than any other. One of these is the Clive Hamilton-Gould owned 1930 Minor Tourer (DG 325), while the second is the 1931 OHC Minor Two-seater (BR 8606). This superb photograph of the ex Rosemary Burke car was taken by Roger Wasley, a prolific Bristol based photographer, while attending an event near Eastnor Castle, Worcs on the 10th September last. What could it be that the Woodwards (current custodians of BR 8606) are laughing at?
A project that commenced in 2011 has finally reached fruition with Tony Gamble’s Arrow Minor special (BF 9025) about to head back to North Yorks following its trimming in Cumbria. The dream of seeing an Arrow Minor back on the road was translated into reality by the skill of coachbuilder Garry Waiting who has declared that this is his last project after constructing countless light car bodies over an extended thirty year period.
Seen here climbing the hill at Prescott, this beautiful 1929 Morris Minor Fabric Saloon is for sale in Yorkshire. It was recently restored to a very high standard by a pre-war Minor enthusiast. Asking price is £9000 and the vendor can be contacted via info@prewarminor.com or read more here.
Our 2022 ‘Big Skies’ rally is rapidly approaching and 28 cars and their crews have signed up to take part in a full weekend of activities in rural Suffolk. If you own a pre-war Morris Minor, MG M Type Midget or Wolseley Hornet, it really is not too late to enter with two spaces remaining available. Go to our rally page here, find some local accommodation with the aid of the guide provided and email your entry form to info@prewarminor.com It’s as simple as that!
This 1931 scuttle tank S.V. Coachbuilt Saloon (formerly UF 7502) left the U.K. in November 2015 bound for the Netherlands. Its ownership was shared by three Dutch MG enthusiasts and has been maintained in an ‘oily rag’ condition throughout its stay. The trio are now offering the car for sale on the Prewarcar website here.
The youngest attendee at the Network’s spring pub-meet at the Cross Keys in Redgrave, Suffolk was Danny, who despite his tender years wanted to know all about the cars parked opposite his house. There was no need to embelish the truth as Danny couldn’t have been more impressed with what he saw. They were far more interesting than his tractor, according to his mum.
A plethora of pre-war Minors attended the LC&ES Welsh Weekend, in numbers not seen at this event for well over ten years. At least three Minor Tourers took part, two of them captured in this Mike Tebbett photo, while three ohc Coachbuilt Saloons and two Two-seaters were also known to have attended. Additionally, Paul Gregory’s Minor special was listed as an entry, although sadly Ali Bond’s Semi-Sports didn’t make it to the ‘off’, suffering a blown core plug en route.
Here in the U.K. the weather is set fair for the next week, which should mean that many Minorists will take to the roads for the first time this year. It’s a simple matter to remove the dust cover, check the tyre pressures, give the electical and fuel systems the once-over, turn the engine over a few times on the handle, get in, apply the choke, retard the ignition and press the starter button. Within a couple of minutes the open road could be stretching away ahead of you, or alternatively you could be scratching your head under the bonnet! Give it a try and remember to take some images for the website and forum. Here Lubomir Piksa and his wife from the Czech Republic are about to set off in their 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater, a car that is regularly used.
In 2004 1933 (34 season) Morris Minor Saloon (JO 7738) played a leading role in the film drama ‘Ladies in Lavender’, starring Dames’ Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. The car was subsequently sold and in the process lost its registration, before a PWMN member bought the car and then purchased an appropriate replacement plate (OU 3191). In September 2021 a repertory company based at the Apollo Theatre , Newport, IOW dramatised the film story, putting on a production that ran for a week. To advertise the event the current owner of OU 3191, an IOW resident, acquired a duplicate set of number plates for this re-enactment photoshoot held outside the theatre entrance.
The Home Counties crew recently held the first of their 2022 quarterly pub meets at the Stepping Stones Inn, West Humble, Surrey. As is habitually the case, there was an excellent turnout, perhaps prompted by the springlike weather. Here some of the cast assemble around the three almost 90 year-old vehicles, which definitely look in far better condition than those standing alongside!
Glorious weather heralded the Network’s 2013 Spring Pub Meet at The Cross Keys in Redgrave, Suffolk. Eric Mouser brought along his six-cylinder Morris Major Salonette (GV 188), which dwarfed the Bernie Miles owned lwb Morris Minor Sports Coupe (RT 8431). Please note that the 2022 Far Eastern Spring Meet will be held at the same venue on Sunday 3rd April – all pre-war cars and crews welcome.
The Network has just learned of the passing of Minor enthusiast David Brown, who died almost exactly a year ago. in February 2021. David owned many Minors during his adult life, including his famous ‘Baby Bentley and ‘Mack’ his 1932 SV Minor Two-seater (UF 7767). This is the car in which he circumnavigated the UK mainland in 2003 and which also inspired our own ‘Around the Edge’ charity run in 2015. R.I.P. David.
Seen sitting at the foot of the Brooklands Museum’s Test Hill is 1930 Morris Minor Tourer (DG 325) with owner Clive Hamilton-Gould at the wheel. The photo was taken on 31st January 2016 during the course of the VSCC’s New Years Driving Tests. The Test Hill was first opened in 1909 and continues in use to the present day. The hill is 352 feet in length and has three sections with differing gradients of 1 in 8, 1 in 5 while the top section is a very steep, 1 in 4. The current all-time record of 6.99 seconds is held by Francis Beart who in 1932, when riding a 500 cc J.A.P. engined Grindlay-Peerless motorcyle, averaged 34.55 mph before becoming airborne at the summit parting company with his mount in the process. While no records were broken, Clive successfully piloted ‘DG’ to the summit while remaining closely attached to terra-firma.
Just a handful of coachbuilders re-bodied the 1929-1932 MG Midget, one such firm being Jarvis of Wimbledon. The 1930 (GP 1856) example seen here alongside the Malcolm Campbell sheds at Brooklands is well known and owned by MG doyen Philip Bayne-Powell. The photo was taken on the 28th January 2012 during the running of that year’s VSCC New Year Driving Tests.
Member Andy Brown from Norfolk, U.K. recently found some space that needed filling in his labyrnthine garage network. Just a couple of weeks previousl another member (Paul Brigden) had spotted a Post Office Telephones liveried 1939 Minor 35 cu ft van (FGN 202) which was due to be auctioned by Matthewsons in Yorkshire and posted its availability on the Network’s forum. Although he had not seen the car in the metal, Andy bravely (and successfully) bid for the hybrid vehicle which now nestles in that briefly unoccupied space.
There have been many good looking Morris Minor specials and the CMS Super Sports was arguably among the prettiest. It was initially produced as a diversification product by the Coventry Motor Sundries concern, whose core business was the supply of ‘all weather equipment’ to the motor trade. It first saw the light of day in 1929 and was clearly inspired by M.G.’s Midget. This 1930 example (UY 8391) has an illustrious list of past owners including the late Harry Edwards, along with our own Roger Lucke and Philip Butland. Below is another MG M Type Midget influenced Minor Special (PG 2676). Currently owned by Paul Gregory and originally assembled in Northern Ireland, the similarities with the CMS are obvious, although its shorter radiator is necessitated by the lower bonnet line of the MG inspired body.
In August 2010 an unusual OHC engined 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater was photographed parked-up at the roadside in a Suffolk village with the Warwickshire registration of WD 4459. Nothing was known about the car or its owner at the time and all efforts to track it down later, failed. Fast forward to September 1st 2019 and the car with its crew of Andy Sexton and his wife attended the Network’s Two Breweries Run as guests of ‘regulars’ Dudley Stammers and Rachel. Mystery solved. Move forward again to February 2022 and a request was received via the Morris Register Help-Desk seeking information about the car and its current wherabouts. James Colman, the son of the car’s first owner, (which was bought new in June of 1932), was attempting to track the car down in order to provide the current owner with some detail of its early history and to satisfy himself that the car he knew as a child still survived. Thankfully, the Network’s archive came to his rescue and with the permission of the current owner a happy conclusion is in the offing!
The VSCC’s Brooklands New Year Driving Test event took place on Sunday 30th January. The fine winter weather contributed to the bumper attendance, those present witnessing some scintillating driving. This shot portrays Paul Compton negotiating a complex section in his event proven 1934 Wolseley Hornet Aerees Special.
There are at least a dozen pre-war Morris Minors resident in the United States, including three in the ownership of Ian Grace in Seattle. This Morris Minor homebuilt special is described as a 1932 model, despite it carrying a 1934 Plymouth, U.K. registration (GY 4498) and is currently for sale in Southern California. The Network’s archive records that the car was last for sale in April 2017 at a price $18,750.
Stefan Marjoram is an accomplished automotive artist and photographer, his depictions appearing in the The Automobile magazine and the VSCC’s quarterly Bulletin on a regular basis. He recently posted this “doodle” (his word) of Geof Wilson’s 1929 Minor special ‘Wilson’s Wasp’ (MM 9326) on a Facebook page, which captures the essence of the Wasp in just a very few strokes of his pen.
This 1932 Minor special (DR-90-39) has lived on the continent for many years with time spent in both Belgium and latterly the Netherlands. During May 2021 the car re-surfaced with a smart new blue paint scheme and can be seen for comparison purposes alongside a photograph taken earlier. A previous owner of the car claimed that it was originally built by Mulliner in Birmingham.
…Unless you knew about the existence of this vehicle, the odds are that your guess as to its purpose would be way off beam. As the lower image indicates it has a dual-purpose. Throughout the working week it is so designed that it can carry a van body which is removed when it needs to be pressed into service as the family runabout at the weekend. The commercial body being simply lifted off and replaced by a rear end that contains two further seats and a retractable hood, ala the factory Minor Tourer. The body(ies) were built by Duple in 1930 and 1931 while the solitary survivor is GN 4524, (owned by Dave Cooksey) seen here without either type at Prescott ten years ago. (Image courtesy Peter McFadyen)
While many owners of vintage cars lock them away for the winter, others use them all year round. Minorist Clive Hamilton-Gould is an owner in the latter category. Here he is seen at the Bicester Heritage Centre site competing in the 2012 VSCC’s Winter Driving Tests under very icy conditions in his 1930 Morris Minor Tourer (DG 325). (Photo courtesy Peter McFadyen)
Date: 11th September 2021 Venue: Prescott. The annual Pre-war Prescott event was a little later in the year in 2021 due to the pandemic. This didn’t deter Ian and Judith Judd from driving down from Leeds to Gloucestershire to enjoy the craic and to ascend the famous hill in his 1930 MG Midget (MG 703). Here Ian rounds the final part of The Esses just 220 metres away from the finish.
Had this still image been a video it would certainly be necessary to turn the volume right down, otherwise the neighbours would soon be complaining! Here Simon Hodgins pilots his 1930 Morris Minor Coachbuilt Saloon (VK 3672) up the Test Hill at Brooklands on 9th March 2014 while using the model’s notoriously noisy second-gear. The occasion was the annual Austin – Morris Day, held each spring at the Brooklands Museum complex.
The Network’s Home Counties Section, with hosts Alister Reid and Kenneth Allen to the fore, held their Christmas get-together recently at The Royal Automobile Club, at Woodcote Park, Surrey. It’s clear to see from this photo that a good time was had by all, despite the outrageous breaches of the club’s dress code by the majority of those in attendance.
Year: 1976 Venue: Brands Hatch Here we see 1930 M.G. Midget (MG 703) with Ian Judd at the wheel, circulating around the 2.65 mile circuit during an M.G. Car Club meeting having just passed a six cylinder M.G. KN. His attire that day consisted of “Borrowed helmet, slightly too large. Black rimmed glasses. Leather Safari jacket, waisted, from Village Gate. Trainers, white with black stripes, the latest thing then, from Lillleywhites of Piccadilly. Outrageous flares, tucked into socks. Stringbacked driving gloves. A purple knitted tie completed the ensemble.” With a scuttle mounted petrol tank, his trousers may have lived up to their name had there been any spillage of fuel that day!
This great shot of Jonathan Barwick‘s 1933 Morris Minor Two-seater (RSJ 615) entitled ‘Places of worship’ is this year’s Pre-war Minor Network Photograph of the Year. Eleven further winning images as ajudged by the team at Motorsport Images in Isleworth will appear in the 2022 edition of the Network’s calendar which will be available to purchase as of tomorrow, along with full details of how to do so. View all twelve images here.
The Network’s 2022 calendar has gone to press and will be available to purchase in just a few days time. It should be noted that the cover photo does not appear within the calendar as those spots are reserved for the the winning entries to this year’s (2021) Photograph of the Year Competition. All will be revealed on the 3rd December.
The 29th November is the final day for receipt of entries to this year’s Photograph of the Year Competition. If you have an image of your prewar Morris Minor, MG M Type Midget or Wolseley Hornet that you believe could grace a page of our 2022 calendar then submit it without further delay to info@prewarminor.com (This beautifully framed shot of Derek Chatto’s MG Midget MG 1930 was taken at the recent VSCC Cotswold Trial by photographer Dennis Rushton and is published here with his permission. )
The Light Car & Edwardian Section Journal is the official organ of that august VSCC body. Its editor is Mike Tebbett who took this image of Sue and Richard Woodward in the ex Rosemary Burke OHC engined 1931 £100 Minor Two-seater. The photo was taken during a recent VMR tour. Ironically, had the event been organised by the LC&ES, BR 8606 would not have been permitted to take part, it being built after 31st December 1930 as well as being ‘modified’, both disqualifying factors within the section’s rule book.
It is with much sadness that I have to report the passing of Heidi Maeers, wife of the late Brian Maeers and mother to Janie. She will be much missed by all who knew her in our community via her participation at our rallies and other social gatherings. Our thoughts are with Janie and the rest of the Maeers family. (Chris Lambert)
The restoration of the £100 Morris Minor prototype JO 764, continues apace. The latest photos from owner/restorer Mick Roberts are tantalising, as they show the body section dismounted from the chassis while it awaits its journey to the trimmers. It’s return and the photographs that follow will be eagerly anticipated by all Minor enthusiasts.
This photo was taken by Jonathan Barwick who was attending the VSCC’s Cotswold Trial recently. Here Derek Chatto in his MG M Type Midget (MG 1930) is seen reaching for the handbrake while climbing one of the three observed section to be found at the Bugatti Owners Club HQ at Prescott, Glos. (More images from the event can be found at the foot of this page)
Images are beginning to arrive for the Network’s 2021 POTY competition. This one came all the way from New Zealand and features Peter Field’s 1931 Morris Minor Two-seater (AT 6795) outside a local landmark! If you have a photo of your car that you would like to enter then please use the following email address – info@prewarminor.com Access to the gallery can be gained by clicking on the red bar above.
Just over ten years ago on 9th April 2011 the Network held its Spring Pub Meet at the Bell Inn, Rickinghall, Suffolk. It was a notable event in that two hard to find 1932 Morris Family Eight Sports Coupes shared the same car park. Nigel Tucker had brought along FV 2585 while Andrew Miles (a teenager at that time) drove RT 8431, a car he had recently restored almost single handedly. Both cars continue to provide sterling service to this day for their respective owners.
The 2021 POTY competition is launched today and entries are now being accepted. View the POTY page here. Here are seven of the eight earlier POTY Competition winning images – will your entry win the 2021 competition?
The VSCC’s Halloween Driving Tests took place at Brooklands on 31st October. The weather eventually ‘played ball’ enabling competitors and spectators alike to enjoy an autumnal day out in an historic motoring setting. Images from the event can be found at the foot of this page.
As has been previously trailed, the Network’s 2022 ‘Big Skies’ rally (June 10th-12th) is to be centered upon the Pakenham Water Mill and Wyken Vinyard in the north-west corner of Suffolk, betwixt the villages of Ixworth and Stanton. Details of how to enter this our twelfth annual rally are now available on the newly launched 2022 Rally page. Don’t delay, entry spaces are limited…
Due to some essential unscheduled maintenance the website’s discussion forum is currently off air. It will be back shortly. This Peter McFadyen photo taken at the 2014 running of the Hereford Trial shows Martin Redmond in his Minor Semi-Sports special negotiating a difficult and very bumpy observed section.
Geof Wilson‘s Morris Minor special ‘Wilson’s Wasp’ (MM 9326) has just emerged from the paint shop looking very much as its title suggested it might! The paint scheme follows on in the tradition of some of the Shelsley Specials that competed at the Worcestershire hill climb venue through the twenties and thirties, some of which continue to compete in VSCC events at Shelsley to this day. Perhaps Geof will take his ‘Wasp’ to that famous hill, to pit his car and his own driving skills against those famous vehicles in the near future? Now there’s a thought!
This trio of rallyists are tentatively descending a hill on the Leicestershire-Rutland border while taking part in the Saturday tour element of the Network’s 2017 Rutland Rally. More ascents and descents are in store for those taking part in the forthcoming 2022 ‘Big Skies’ Rally, of which much more coming soon.
Our cars may be museum pieces in the eyes of many, while for some that is precisely their lot, being aired on very few (if any) of the year’s 365 days, spending all that time locked away in garages. While an excuse can always be found not to use them, (battery is flat, low on fuel, the modern is blocking the driveway etc.) there are always old car events to attend if you seek them out. The Morris Register run local Noggin & Natter groups all over the U.K. throughout the year, as do the VSCC. The Network also hold pub meets. The photo above was taken at one such recent ‘meet’ in Suffolk.
Jonathan Barwick has covered plenty of miles in his 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater (RSJ 615) throughout 2021, perhaps more than any other similar car in the UK this year. Unfortunately, a recent and comparitively short trip by his standards ended abruptly in a blown core plug and a trip home on the back of a transporter. The resultant saving of fuel means he won’t have to queue at his local filling station for petrol for a day or so.
With autumn arriving with a vengeance in parts of the UK it’s worth reminding ourselves of the recently departed summer. Here, Ken and Kate Martin in their 1930 Morris Minor Coachbuilt Saloon (VX 4590), followed by Janie Maeers, Geof Wilson and ‘Tikal’ in ‘Prudence’, Janie’s 1929 Morris Minor Tourer (VJ 1756), begin a long ascent of a Welsh hill during the PWMN Rally on the 10th July.
It could be argued that Britain’s canal system sparked the nation’s industrial revolution. Droitwich Barge Canal was part of that process, being opened in 1771 and providing a link from the salt producing spa town of Droitwich to the River Severn and eventually the sea. Just about 160 years later, Jonathan Barwick’s 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater (RSJ 615) left the Morris works at Cowley, toward the tail-end of that industrial period. This photo was taken at Ladywood Lock, one of eight such constructions on the 5.7 mile long canal.
Ian and Judith Judd recently completed a 500 mile+ trip in their 1930 MG Midget (MG 703) travelling from their home in Leeds to Dorset, via a stop-over in Gloucestershire for the Pre-war Prescott event, before returning to Yorkshire just a couple of days later. Ian is a long-term advocate of the comfort afforded by Moseley Float-on-air seat cushions, although he did complain that by the end of the journey the car seemed narrower than he remembered! The fully laden Midget is seen here parked-up in Cirencester, Glos.
Joe Rayner has an eye for a photo. This time it is a water mill at Castlegrace in South Tipperary with the Great Sugar Loaf (501 metres) in the Wicklow Mountains appearing as it it were a roof extension above the mill owner’s property. ZV 83581, Joe’s 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater is seen in the foreground.
The pandemic has meant that using pre-war cars over the past 18 months was either banned entirely or frowned upon for the engagement in such a trivial pursuit at a time of national crisis. Trivial it may be, but the mental health benefits gleaned by meeting old friends and being out in the countryside cannot be underestimated. Here, a small possee of pre-war cars and their crews are seen outside of the USAAF 453rd Bombardment Group Museum at Old Buckenham, Norfolk following a Networkers’ pub meet run-out.
Hats and old cars are almost as closely associated as strawberries and cream in the English psyche. When you add a dash of late summer sunshine and a hill to climb the inevitable result can be seen in the face of this passenger seated in John Haine’s 1932 MG M Type (OY 1548), as seen at Pre-war Prescott recently.
The hobby of pre-war motoring is for the most part, great fun. Many gain the greatest pleasure from wielding spanners and oil cans while for others the simple act of driving these pieces of motoring history produces the broadest grins. These images, one taken at the recent Pre-war Prescott event and the other at the Far Eastern pub meet fall into the latter category where grins were ten-a-penny.
The Grimsthorpe Speed Trials near Bourne in Lincs has its origins in the early part of the twentieth century, although its re-introduction is a recent ocurrence. On 28th August Networker Phil Parry-Jones entered his 1933 Morris Minor Two-seater (BG 1905) and finished 3rd of six competitors in Class F, recording a time of 38 seconds. It’s believed that at least .0003 seconds of that time was due to the the wearing of streamlined bone domes.
1934 Morris Minor Saloon (839 XUN) may have lost its original registration but it is clearly cherished by Syd Perks, its owner. (No, not the former landlord of The Bull in Ambridge) The Network’s archive recorded that the car was sold on eBay in 2017 although little else is known. This excellent professionally taken image was found via an internet search.
Paul Brigden from South Bucks has owned his 1929 Morris Minor Tourer (FL 7665) for a little over four years, although domestic and work circumstances have prevented him from making a serious start on his project. With those matters now in hand he is keen to get his renovation under way and will be utilising the expertise of the website’s forum members to speed him on his journey
One of the Network’s recently reinstated pub meets took place on 17th August at the Stepping Stones Inn, Westhumble, Surrey. Organisor Kenneth Allen reports that “…We welcomed a ‘New Recruit’ Chris Bourgeois (Blue MG) and were particularly delighted to see Alasdair Maclean, who had traveled all the way up from Bridport, Dorset to be with us. Alasdair is taking a break from sailing round the World and hopes to be with us again at our next Meeting, before resuming his epic voyage in September.” Bon voyage for next month Alasdair!
This 1933 Morris Minor Two-seater (AFZ 323) is well known within pre-war Minor circles, having been owned in the past by members Alister Reid and Roger Lucke. It was recently sold and is now in the custodianship of Edward Coleman from Sidmouth, Devon. It’s seen here making its Devon show debut at Bicton Gardens, near Exmouth.
On 12th August 1931 A.W. Van der Becke piloted a specially adapted and supercharged S.V. Morris Minor over a flying measured mile at Brooklands at 100.39 mph. This was undertaken under the pretext of testing the capabilities of a new Morrisoil variant under extreme conditions. In reality it was the first element in a two stage publicity stunt which would enable Morris Motors to boast that their £100 car could also exceed 100 mph. The second stage, which took place over a specially selected 9.9 mile road circuit some two months later involved the same car being driven at an average speed of 15.5 mph where it covered a distance of 107.4 miles on a single gallon of benzole. Both of these tests were carried out under the auspices of the RAC, this body issuing confirmationary reports afterwards. Morris Motors could then lay claim in their advertising material to marketing a car that cost just £100 but when modified could also achieve 100 mph and 100 mpg.
After being laid-up for half a century in Scotland, Birmingham registered 1932 Minor Family Eight (OJ 1041) has now covered 100 miles since its ‘oilyrag’ renovation by owner Rick Osborne. While a running-in trip back to its place of registration is highly unlikely, perhaps an extended trip to one of Scotland’s beauty spots for a photo opportunity could double that total in a single day!
Further images have been added The Marches Rally Gallery courtesy of Philip Butland. Find them at the foot of this page. Here, John Paternoster’s 1929 Tourer (SV 9091) starts the long climb from the floor of a Welsh valley with Peter Yates 1933 Saloon (LV 975) further up the incline. (Photo: Philip Butland)
How do you inspire a new generation to begin to love mid-twentieth century technology alongside that of their iPad, mobile phone and Playstation? It appears that the way to go is to provide them with an unforgettable experience or two as demonstrated here by (top) Phil Parry-Jones who transported his young grand children inside his twenties Bullnose Morris, while Andy Brown engaged the services of his Talbot Ten tourer to act as the limosine in which to take a group of young male teenagers to their school prom.
A new name is beginning to appear regularly in VSCC competition reports, that of Rebecca Smith. Rebecca drives an aluminium clad 1929 Morris Minor Special (VR 4152). Look out for that name and her Minor at a VSCC speed event near you! MM 9326, (bottom) otherwise known as Wilson’s Wasp is another example of the genre. The car is now very close to completion although it is not known if its owner Geof Wilson will compete in his all red Wasp?!
This beautiful 1930 Morris Minor Fabric Saloon is now available to purchase. Norfolk registered VG 2007 is one among a comparatively very small number of surviving Fabric Saloons and is probably the closest in terms of originality to those that left the Morris Motors factory at Cowley ninety years ago. The car was meticulously restored in Holland by enthusiast Halbe Tjepkema and is being offered for sale by Tony Gamble. Full details can be found on the website’s forum here.
This slightly disconcerting image of Mick Roberts kneeling inside the engine bay of £100 Minor prototype (JO 764) was taken to celebrate him becoming the recipient for 2021 of the Network’s premier award, the Harry Edwards Trophy. Mick rescued JO 764 from a North Devon theme park in 2019 and is now well on the way to completing a meticulous restoration.
Over the recent rally weekend the Welsh hills were alive with the sound of squeeling brakes as John Paternoster‘s Minor Tourer (SV 9091), seen at the front of this three car convoy, attempted to arrest the downhill progress of a fully laden vehicle. Thankfully, despite enthusiastically warming to their task, the brakes did the job their Morris design engineers intended. (Photo: Norma Lambert)
The Network’s highly successful ‘non-rally’ held along the English/Welsh border tested the vehicles taking part to the full. Here, Ken Martin’s 1930 Morris Minor Coachbuilt Saloon sits atop Penrhiw-wen, some 1600 feet above sea level at the head of the Elan Valley with spectacular views in all directions.
The area bordering the counties of Powys and Herefordshire was buzzing with the sound of Minor and Hornet engines over the weekend as Network members took to the lanes running through the hilly region known as the Welsh Marches. Here, 1929 Minor Tourer driver Janie Maeers, along with Geof Wilson tackle such an incline with their pet dog ‘Tickle’, who can be seen keeping a sharp lookout for marauding rabbits. Many more images from the weekend to be found here:
It is a very rare occurrence for two Special Coupes to feature here consecutively. This one (1932 Morris Minor Special Coupe AJ-503-VY) has found a home in France and may well be the former KJ 7159, last seen by Tony Gamble at Thoresby in 2009. This photo was found on a French Facebook site by Mike Tebbett
For those interested in acquiring a pre-war Morris Minor and are seeking something a little out of the ordinary, then this car may well fit the bill. ANO 741 is a 1934 season Morris Minor Special Coupe and has only recently come onto the market. It’s priced at £12,495 and further details can be found on our forum.
Kenneth Allen is not new to Morris Minors having owned three 1934 Saloons at various points in his life. He is however new to the open-top variety and has just purchased OSL 976, a 1933 Minor Two-seater, in order that he can at last experience ‘wind-in-the-hair’ motoring on the lanes and byways around his Surrey home. However, ‘open-top’ motoring for some Networkers’ is no guarantee of achieving the same goal!
The Network’s 11th annual rally based in Titley, Herefordshire is now just a month away. Preparations are ongoing across the country to ensure that cars are serviced and ready to tackle the routes through the Welsh Marches as planned by hosts Tony & June Adlard. Here, 1930 Morris Minor Semi-Sports (VJ 3156) completed a proving run through the Suffolk countryside following its annual service.
Alex Osborne owns OJ 1041 and has done so for almost 50 years. Most of that time his 1932 Morris Minor Family Eight model has been off the road awaiting refurbishment. The lockdown periods of the ongoing pandemic providing some of the impetus to press-on with its oilyrag renovation. The end result can be seen here, the car visiting a filling station for the first time in 46 years!
A photo that in pre-covid times would be cause for little or no comment, perhaps it would even be considered as mundane. Now, meeting up with old friends and chatting almost face to face is exciting and even a little scary. This was a scene from the recent ‘Far Eastern’ pub meet with farmer Dudley Stammers (camera in hand) in deep agricultural discussion with Mike Summers, while other halves Barbara (right) and Rachel, consider the differing aesthetic appeal of the ’32 and ’33 Minor radiator surrounds.
There was a magnificent turnout of ten cars for the Network’s Spring Pub Meet which was centred upon The Crosskeys pub in Redgrave, Suffolk. The meet commenced at 10-30 AM before those attending set out on a 30 mile circular tour around the villages and byways of the surrounding area, before returning for a long awaited catch-up and lunch. Here, the returning crews await service from the bar!
Thanks to the good offices of Network member Joe Rayner, Clive Walker‘s 1931 S.V. Minor Coachbuilt Saloon (JA 1614) now has an engine that runs once again, his Minor having been laid-up for an extended period. To complicate matters, Clive lives on the UK mainland while Joe resides in Ireland, requiring the use of the art of remote (via email) fettling. This entailed Clive wielding the spanners having received his written instructions from 400 kilometres away. Clive writes “At last I have been able to get my Minor out of the garage, thanks to that genius Joe Rayner.” Take a bow Joe!
It is a fact that South Devon is a magnet to tourists throughout the spring and summer months, while those who reside there can enjoy its charm and beauty all year round. Henry Harvey lives adjacent to the town of Dartmouth and captured this image of his 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater (VX 7312) on Bayards Quay recently.
This unusual 1931 Morris Minor Coachbuilt Saloon (HX 7447) was spotted in Argyllshire displaying its owner’s political allegiance, presumably for the forthcoming Scottish Assembly elections. While the bottom half of the car has a gloss finish, the upper section has been covered in a black vinyl, a very smart option.
After an extended period of inactivity the website is once again functioning as it should. There is plenty of news with which to catch-up, including some excellent images from last weekend’s VSCC Herefordshire Trial. Here, David Rolfe pilots his 1931 MG Midget Riley engined special (VU 7908) over some testing terrain, captured through the camera lens of noted photographer Phil Jones.
While much of Europe remains under strict lockdown regulations, there has been some easing across the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic. Joe Rayner‘s 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater (ZV 83851) is seen here on a short foray away from base to Lackandarra Upper, County Waterford, where the imposing Monavullagh Mountains can be seen in the background.
While the Easter weather has been bitterly cold over the whole of the U.K., the weather in the run-up to the holiday period was significantly better. This, along with a relaxation of the covid regulations provided further opportunities for some vintage motoring.
Top: Stuart Clarke’s 1930 Morris Minor Coachbuilt Saloon (WD 1430) Bottom left: Dan Brockway’s 1932 Morris Minor Saloon (MV 6416) Bottom right: Trevor Wilkinson’s 1934 Morris Minor Two-seater (UN 6979)
This 1928 Morris Minor Fabric Saloon (SK 1508) is one of the oldest surviving examples of the model with a well documented history. It’s currently in pristine condition and has just been offered for sale at £11500. Further information, including two files recording its known history and a detailed log of work carried out by the present owner can be found on this website’s Discussion Forum here.
The weather in late March throughout parts of the U.K. has been most unseasonal, with glorious sunshine, and temperatures in the low twenties. Some members, including the owners of these cars have taken the opportunity to get the oil circulating once again around engines that have lain dormant for many months. However, the first few days of April are set to get significantly colder with snow forecast for some on Easter Monday. So this was a case of make hay…
Clockwise: Trevor Wilkinson’s 1934 Minor Two-seater (UN 6979), Adrian Tyldesley’s 1930 Minor Fabric Saloon (FH 7004), Jonathan Barwick’s 1933 Minor Two-seater (RSJ 615) and finally Mick Robert’s 1934 Morris 25 (JT 667)
The imminent first stage easing of Covid restrictions in England has led to a perceptable increase in garage related activities among Networkers in recent days. With the prospect of temperatures in the mid-teens (and even higher) in the week ahead, the lure of a trip out has even resulted in some members resorting to openly washing their cars in public. Here, the tell-tale bucket and the soapy water covering this 1934 Morris Minor Two-seater (AAO 426) reveal that Adrian Tyldesley is one such networker.
This 1931 season Morris Minor Coachbuilt Saloon (BF 9470 ex NG 50) was in serious danger of being broken up as the owner no longer had the garage space in which to keep it. Haydon Edwards heard of its plight through the VMR and purchased the car over the weekend. Hayden intends to restore the car as soon as circumstances permit.
The (almost) springlike weather here in the U.K. was enough to tempt two Minorists to take to the byways in order to collect their groceries. The Gregory’s 1931 Minor Coachbuilt Saloon (UF 7090) can be seen ‘resting’ in the Somerset countryside with Glastonbury Tor in the distant background, while Trevor Wilkinson’s 1934 Minor Two-seater (UN 6979) takes shelter from the biting wind in the lea of a Bedfordshire hedgerow for its photo opportunity stop.
Opportunities to buy one of the final few metal panelled MG M Type Midgets to leave Abingdon rarely come along. This April 1932 Kent registered car is such a vehicle and it is being offered for sale on the website’s forum, where full details and a dozen images can be found.
It’s time for a little optimism. The days are getting longer, summer beckons and we all need something to look forward to. The Network’s annual rally is scheduled for the weekend of 9th – 11th July and just a few spaces remain available. Take a look at what’s in store here and begin planning a long weekend away in some stunning countryside. You are guaranteed a warm welcome. (Photo Kate Martin)
If things go according to plan, by mid-May (in England) we could all legally re-commence using our cars. By then, the best of the spring blossom will be on display, the days will be much longer and the sun will have considerably more warmth than at present. This 2008 photo was taken in the leafy Surrey suburb of Ewell, and has captured the Morris Minor Two-seaters, owned at that time by Alister Reid (UXG 289) and Mike Cameron (HX 3252), basking in the spring sunshine. In just ten weeks time we could be doing the same…(photo Alister Reid)
The English covid restriction road map will permit the go-ahead of limited outdoor gatherings after 17th May. In view of that recent announcement the Network is planning to hold a series of pub meets across England, the first of which has been confirmed as taking place on Sunday 23rd May at the Starwing Brewery in Redgrave, Suffolk. Timings and itinerary will follow shortly, as will detail concerning further meets as they are confirmed.
Tony Gamble from Selby, North Yorks is selling his 1930 MG ‘M’ Type Midget project (WM 5429 – 2M/1771) with an asking price of £9750. Full details are available on the website’s Discussion Forum while Tony can be contacted directly at: anthony.gamble@btconnect.com
After last year’s covid hiatus it’s worth reminding ourselves why rallying is such fun. Not only do we get to drive our ninety year old vehicles on roads ideally suited to them while viewing some stunning countryside, we also get to meet-up once again with friends we haven’t seen for a while. This image was taken at the 2014 Network rally which was based in Cavendish, Suffolk. Here, cars and crews are seen assembling and socialising in an orchard immediately prior to setting off for the commencement of the Saturday tour. Please note that the 2021 Pre-war Minor Network Rally has been rescheduled and is now due to take place over the weekend of 9th-11th July. It’s not too late to join us – more information and a booking form are available here.
Unfortunately, the enduring effects of the coronavrus pandemic has led to the enforced postponement of the Network’s annual rally for a second successive year. The very good news is that it was only necessary to move the rally weekend back by one month, the new dates being 9th – 11th July 2021. Those of you who have confirmed entries will receive an email from rally host Tony Adlard shortly, while those wishing to join us can do so by using the booking form on the the rally page here.
Stuart Cooke is the current custodian of the McEvoy Minor prototype (SV7012 – RC 300). This famous Minor has led a chequered post war life, with large gaps in its history. Having been seperated from its original registration, the car is currently registered at the DVLA as 7360 TU and is slowly being restored by Stuart. A ‘Minor Musings‘ article featuring the car is due to appear in the March 2021 edition of Morris Monthly.
The Sammy Miller Museum in the New Forest, Hants played host to the Network’s 2012 Forester Rally. Here, the Garry Waiting owned Semi-Sports replica heads up a trio of similarly bodied cars all awaiting the signal for the ‘off’ at the start of the Sunday morning coastal tour. Mike Taylor‘s Austin Heavy Twelve can be seen in the background as can John Paternoster‘s Minor Tourer.
Phil Parry-Jones has owned BG 1915, his 1934 season Morris Minor Two-seater, for fifty years. Despite the car’s diminutive size, his wife and two-children used the Minor as holiday transport back in the seventies. After a long lay-off, and having acquired an earlier radiator and wings along the way, the car is now once again roadworthy as can be seen above (left).
Featuring here for the second time in just a few days is 1930 Morris Minor CMS Super Sport special (UY 8391). It’s restoration now complete, the car was taking part in the July 2008 VMR Rally, the Saturday tour route taking-in a number of the numerous WWII airfield memorials located in Norfolk and Suffolk. This memorial, to be found at Knettishall, Suffolk honoured those who had lost their lives while serving with the 388 Bomb Group of the USAAF and were based at the adjacent airfield. This photo was taken by Roger Lucke who at that time was the car’s custodian.
The pandemic has caused the wholesale postponement or cancellation of complete programs of motor sporting events. The Vintage Sports Car Club (VSCC) has been particularly hard-hit with just a handful of the scheduled events being able to take place in 2020, while the immediate prospects for 2021 are looking little better. One of the first casualties of this calendar year was the traditional year-start Brooklands Driving Tests, which was due to be held on Sunday 31st January, although hope remains that it could still be rescheduled for later in the year. Here, Clive Hamilton-Gould manhandles his 1930 Morris Minor Tourer (DG 325) on a part of the former racing circuit’s Start and Finish Straight at the January 2016 running of this event.
The late Harry Edwards was something of a legend in the pre-war Morris world and come to that, remains so. This photo of the ex-Morris Register historian appeared in the Auto Express magazine in 1990. His 1930 CMS Minor Special (UY 8391) was eventually finished and sold at auction to Network member Roger Lucke around the turn of the millenium. It has subsequently found a home in the Butland family on the English south coast. (Image courtesy of Toby Sears)
These highly sought-after open four-seater models appear infrequently. This one has been in the same ownership for some considerable time and is now in the hands of a Warwickshire dealer. Morris Minor Tourer (KX 2397) was first registered in Buckinghamshire in April 1929. Full details can be found on the carandclassic website here as well as this website’s forum. (Click the arrowhead on the image above to watch a YouTube video of the car)
Harry Edwards, the former Morris Register Historian, died in September 2010. He left behind a mountain of material in the form of books, articles, a handwritten register of surving cars and countless notes. Much of this material continues to be referenced on a daily basis by Morris enthusiasts from around the world. A small part of that legacy are these sketches of Morris Minor specials, drawn over 50 years ago for publication in the Morris Register’s quarterly ‘Bulletin‘ and used to illustrate a series of articles on the topic.
The view upon lifting the bonnet of every Morris Minor engine will reveal many subtle differences, one engine to the next. Few under-bonnet views will resemble that to be seen in Morris handbooks, with differing routes for pipework, non-standard float chambers on carburettors, the use of modern plug leads, the location of the manufacturer’s plate along with a host of other trivia. While to some these anomolies annoy and irritate, to others they simply represent practical pragmatism.
The £175 Morris Minor Special Coupe was the most expensive factory produced Morris Minor by some margin. A 1995 article from the Classic & Sportscar magazine will shortly be uploaded to the website explaining why these Coupes were so popular among the car manufacturers, while less so among the buying public.
Following the announcement of the latest English national lockdown, the VSCC have postponed the Brooklands Driving Tests event that was due to take place later this month. Club Chairman Paul Tunnicliffe comments “… these will not go ahead in January, although we are hoping that they can run later in the year.” This photo was taken during scrutineering for the 2019 event, with Paul Compton’s 1934 Wolseley Hornet Aerees Special (ACJ 154) well to the fore, behind which is Clive Hamilton-Gould’s 1930 Morris Minor Tourer (DG 325).
Gerhard Wedenig fom Untersiggenthal, Switzerland own’s this striking 1932 Morris Minor Saloon (AG 128 827). Gerhard had been experiencing clutch problems on his car and turned to the members of this website’s Discussion Forum for help. Practical advice and tangible assistance was provided, most notably by Joe Rayner from Ireland, who repaired the Minor’s clutch ‘fingers’ and constructed a tool to aid the setting-up of the clutch upon re-installation. The parts were then mailed to Gerhard over the Christmas period, who reports that the car has recently successfully completed a test run. A fine example of European co-operation.
The beautiful City of Napier in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand hosts an annual art deco festival which includes a vintage car show that takes place in the city centre. Here network member, David Gardiner’s Minor special is seen parked up in the city on February 22nd this year, at a time when thankfully New Zealand was free of covid19.
Jonathan Barwick‘s 1933 Morris Minor RSJ 615 (Formerly JO 5914) is seen here parked outside St. Peter’s Church in Pirton, Worcs. This beautiful historic building was erected in the early part of the thirteenth century and is one of five timber framed churches to be found in the county. Seven centuries after St. Peter’s was constructed, Morris Motors continued the timber framing tradition, employing ash to build the frames for their Minor bodies. Read more here: https://nickjoycearchitects.co.uk/project/st-peters-church-pirton/
Janie Maeers owns 1929 Morris Minor Tourer VJ 1756, pictured here while attending a VSCC race meeting at Mallory Park, Leics, not too far distant from her home near Market Harborough. It’s hoped that many more old car events will take place in 2021, including the Network’s annual rally in the Welsh Marches next June
Chris Hipwood was awarded the Harry Edwards Trophy for his beautiful restoration of this 1934 Minor Saloon BPA 588. Unlike his trophy, his Minor doesn’t sit on a pedestal simply to be admired, his car is used, even in the depths of winter. It’s seen here on top of Stoopers Hill, above the nearby village of Coombe St. Nicholas, which nestles in the Blackdown Hills in Somerset. Coombe St. Nicholas is of course well known as a favoured fodder refueling point for S. Claus’s reindeer, come 24th December each year.
Climbing Prescott’s famous hill is an appropriate car is a memorable experience. Here, Roger Burnett tests his mettle and that of his 1931 MG Midget Sportsman’s Coupe (GG 3949) as they get towards the end of the 1,128 yard course while attending the Pre-war Prescott event in July 2019. (Photo: Chris Lambert)
Another two Minors have recently found new homes. Adrian Tyldesley from Chorley, Lancs has acquired his second Minor in just under two months with the addition of 1934 Two-seater (AAO 426) to that of his 1930 Fabric Saloon FH 7004. On the other side of the globe in South Australia, Bryan Dunning has bought this 1933 lwb Minor Two-seater (RAA-033) and is about to start rebuilding the car.
Exponents of pre-war trials, sprints, hill-climbs and rallies have suffered withdrawal symptons for the past nine months as the vintage motoring calendar was decimated by the fallout from the pandemic. The VSCC have managed to stage a few events, albeit without spectators, the latest of these being their Winter Driving Tests which were held on 5th December at Bicester Heritage Centre. Here, India Walker was photographed negotiating one of the test sections in the family’s 1931 Morris Minor Two-seater TM 8687 (Agnes). The Walker family car wasn’t the only Minor taking part, with Clive Hamilton-Gould’s 1930 Tourer DG 325 also flying the flag for the model. Photo: Courtesy Phil Jones
This superb image of Arie Roest’s Hornet Special, entered by his wife Tineke is the winner of our 2020 Photograph Of The Year Competition. The competition was adjudicated by a team from Motorsports Images (the competition’s sponsor), led by their Director of Photo Collections – Kevin Wood. Tineke has now won the competition twice, while her husband Ari is also a previous winner of the LAT Plate.
Of all the Morris Minor saloon variants, the Fabric Saloon has the fewest survivors. Built in large numbers, particularly in 1929, their bodies were more prone to the ravages of time and weather than their steel skinned counterparts, hence their scarcity today. It is all the more gratifying to now find a quartet of these models in the hands of active Network members. So come on Adrian, Garry, Tony and Dave, perhaps it’s time to establish a new sub-section, with a view to all meeting up at the 2021 rally in Herfordshire! Now that would be a magnificent sight!
How many vintage car motoring enthusiasts would load a suitcase onto the luggage rack and set off for a weeks family holiday in their pre-war pride and joy? Very few is the likely answer, particularly with the density of traffic to be found on Britain’s roads between the end of July and early September each year. Clearly, thirty years ago things weren’t quite so bad, as that prospect didn’t put off Ken and Kate Martin who took their young family on such a trip back in 1990. Their Minor is a 1930 Coachbuilt Saloon (VX 4590). Photo: Ken Martin
The ending of the English lockdown in early December won’t precipitate a mass unlocking of garage doors for the majority of vintage car owning motorists. The prospect of driving along muddy lanes will ensure that most cars remain tucked away for the duration of the winter months. After all, it’s not as if the cars weren’t designed for motoring in the wet! Here, Simon Hodgins bucks this trend and can be seen traversing a very damp Cotswold lane in his late 1931 Jensen Minor Special (EC 9783). Admittedly, this photo was taken in the month of July, while car and crew were taking part in the 2009 VMR Rally, but if you need a vintage motoring ‘fix’, be brave…
The early entries for the Network’s 2020 POTY Competition can now be found on the competition’s webpage here. The rules for entry can also be found on the same page, so please dig out your favourite image(s) of your Minor, Midget or Hornet and email them to info@prewarminor.com Entry is free and the top twelve images will adorn the pages of our 2021 calendar!
Phil Parry-Jones needed a vehicle to assist him drag away the severed boughs from a fallen riverside willow. Without a Land Rover to hand, Phil turned to his trusty 1933 Minor Two-seater (BG 1915), a car that’s been in the family for around fifty years, which of course then completed the task with the minimum of fuss!
With full lockdown imminent in England and severe restrictions in place elsewhere across the UK, those of you still intending to submit a new photo of your car for the Network’s Photograph Of The Year Competition had better get your skates on! The winning entry will adorn the front cover of our 2021 calendar. There is still time for that entry to be yours!
Having gone to ground for almost five years, 1934 Minor Two-seater BPB 357, the car previously owned by former member Andrew Batey, has resurfaced. Its new custodian Paul Ellis, lives not too far from the car’s birthplace and will hopefully be seen out and about in his very recent acquisition shortly. Congratulations Paul!
The Network’s 2020 Photograph of the Year competition is now open to entries, while the competition rules and entry instructions can be found under a red button on the homepage’s header (above) or via this link here. If you have a favourite image of your Minor, Hornet or Midget then please consider entering our competition, you never know, the adjudicators may agree with you. The top twelve images will adorn the pages of the Network’s 2021 calendar which will be published in early December, just in time for it to be wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree as a surprise present for your wife/partner/husband, although be prepared to duck. (Photo – Arthur Bell 2014)
Tighter covid restrictions have meant that even small gatherings such as our local pub meets have had to be put on ice for the time being. Let’s hope that come the spring of 2021 we will be able to meet up again with fewer constraints on our behaviour! This photo was taken in October 2010 at an autumn meet in Redgrave, Suffolk.
This 1934 season Morris Minor Two-seater was built at the tail-end of 1933. In December 1952 it was exported to Denmark to join an already large native contingent of pre-war Minors. However, in 1953 it was sold to a German customer (Gunther Schott) who lived in Bad Nauheim, in the Taunus region. He kept the car for many years, even joining the Morris Register for a short period in the eighties. In 2014 it was sold on to Bernard Deifenbach who has recently passed the car onto Peter Brodt. It was Peter who provided this information along with the news that the car is now undergoing an exstensive renovation. Please keep us posted Peter.
For many pre-war Minor owners, our cars generally see the light of day when the sun shines. Not so with Howard Annetts. He took his 1929 Tourer (UR 4361) on a shopping expedition over the weekend, at a time when squalls and strong winds were battering parts of the country. He reports that thankfully, his hood is waterproof.
All seven of these photos have previously been voted the Network’s Photograph of the Year in our annual pre Christmas competition. For 2020 the competition will be run in November, the top 12 entries, as ajudged by a team from our sponsors Motorsport Images, will then appear in the club’s calendar which will subsequently be available for purchase in the weeks preceding the Christmas holidays. If you have a favourite image of your pre-war Morris Minor, MG Midget or Wolseley Hornet then please consider entering our competition. Entry is free and you can enter right now by submitting upto a maximum of three photos (high resolution please) to info@prewarminor.com
Two Network members have both decided to sell their S.V. Morris Minor Minor Saloons. They are Kenneth Allen, owner of DG 8657, a 1934 model and Dan Brockway who is current custodian of MV 6416, a sliding-head 1932 version. Further details can be found on the Network’s Discussion Forum here.
The 4th October 2020 was to have seen an assembly of pre-war cars at the Star Wing Brewery in Redgrave, Suffolk, prior to a 45 mile tour of some local landmarks. Like so many other motoring social gatherings this year, the event had to be cancelled due to the restrictions imposed by H.M. Government. This photo was taken almost four years ago to the day when a record sixteen cars arrived at the Manor House, Wortham for the Network’s autumn Far Eastern Pub Meet.
This beautifully rebuilt Wolseley Hornet March Special (SM 9551) was first registered in Dumfries, Scotland in 1932. The body was designed by Freddie (Earl of) March and originally constructed by coachbuilders John Charles of Kew. In more recent times it was owned by Anthony Hamilton, father of six-times Formula One World Champion, Lewis. The vendor claims that the Hornet develops 45 BHP, will reach 75 MPH and is currently advertised for sale on the carandclassic website here.
GU 1342 started life as a 1929 Morris Minor Tourer. After many years of neglect it was purchased circa 2002 in a disassembled state by the late David Roscoe, who then commissioned well known MG body builder Dave Cooksey, to restore the running gear and build a replica Semi-Sports body. The end result can be seen here in this 3rd April 2005 photo which was taken over the LC&ES Welsh weekend during Sunday’s trial. Here David Roscoe takes a firm grip of the steering wheel while Dave Cooksey braces himself as car and occupants are about to attempt to negotiate a particularly steep and technical observed section.
Alistair Bond took this photo of his 1930 Minor Semi-Sports (IA 9142) beside the Loughor Estuary on his way home to Swansea shortly after visiting his mother in Llanelli. Both locations are about to endure a two-week lockdown following sharp rises in covid 19 cases, so this trip out in his Minor may be Alistair’s last for a while.
Of late, the southern part of the UK has (for the most part) been bathed in glorious late summer sunshine. The warm air tempted a number of Minorists to take to the road, including Ali Bond (1930 Semi-Sports IA 9142), Toby Sears (1933 Saloon YG 2017), Martin Gregory (1931 Coachbuilt Saloon UF 7090) and Trevor Wilkinson (1934 Two-seater UN 6979)
John & Sue Welsh from Northumberland have owned this unique 1930 Morris Minor special (VK 2726) for many years. Unfortunately, the engine recently suffered a broken piston and conrod and efforts are currently underway via the website’s forum to find suitable replacements in order to effect its repair.
Former member Jeremy Evans had almost finished the body tub of the Mulliner Minor special he constructed between 2014 and 2015, before deciding to sell it due to registration concerns with the DVLA. The body is still out there and rests upon another chassis that has a legitimate matching frame number and V5C document. Jeremy’s craftsmanship deserves to see the light of day…
Eight years ago (September 2012) a group of Minorists met-up for a tour of the lanes and byways around the Leicestershire town of Melton Mowbray. Here Brian Maeers in his 1930 Minor Tourer (PG 5664-Dorothy) heads up a procession of four Minors passing through an avenue of trees, all on their way to make a surprise call at one of Brian’s friends for afternoon tea!
The best part of 400 miles separate the locations at which these two images were taken. Haydon Edwards owns the Minor Two-seater (XVV 334), this photo being taken at St. Mary’s lighthouse, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Weir, the car being on a proving run after an extensive two-year rebuild. Dorset resident Dan Brockway is the current custodian of 1932 Minor Saloon (MV 6416), this dusk photo being taken somewhere deep in the county’s rural countryside.
The Isle of Ely is famous for its magnificent cathedral and was, as it full name suggests, once surrounded by fenland water. Ted Coney’s 1931 SV Minor Coachbuilt Saloon (PL 9309) is a regular attendee at local events and although not quite as well known as the cathedral, has been photographed alongside many local civic dignatories, including the city’s mayor.
Peter Brock and Ali Bond have both been using their Minors to take extended trips into the North East England and Mid-Wales countryside respectively. Peter’s 1934 Minor Four-door Saloon (AAO 463) was photographed in the village of Belsay, Northumberland outside of a small car repair business, housed in its original 100 year old premises. Alistair meanwhile had journeyed from his home on the coast into the Welsh countryside with his 1930 Minor Semi-Sports (IA 9142), along with a group of ‘old car’ friends. It looks as if a pub stop was on their itinerary!
The meteorological start to the northern hemisphere autumn was Tuesday 1st September – so our already short covid hit driving season has only a few more weeks left to run before the bad weather will curtail our excursions. The Network intends to run its 2020 Photograph-of-the-year (POTY) competition in November this year, so there remain just a few short weeks to capture that winning photo. It’s time to dust off the camera!
There are currently plenty of pre-war Minors, Midgets & Hornets for sale. If you are in the market for such a car then you need look no further than our Discussion Forum where a complete sub-forum is devoted to the topic.
Joachim Barnett and his brother are rebuilding their father’s 1934 Morris Minor Two-seater (TJ 4258) with an aim to have the car in a roadworthy condition by the summer of 2021. The Minor has been off the road for many years and the hope is that their mother will enjoy a ride out in a car with which she was very familiar, back in the day.
Racing circuits are not places you would normally associate with pre-war Morris Minors. Member Dudley Stammers however farms land adjacent to the Snetterton circuit in East Harling, Norfolk and regularly attends meetings when vintage cars are present. This photo of his 1933 Minor Two-seater (KFF 165) was taken at the VSCC sponsored event, held on 29th September 2013.
There are plenty of pre-war Morris Minors available to buy right now, including the forthcoming auctions of two usually difficult to find Tourer versions. Full details on the website’s Discussion Forum.
Tim Stubbs, a team member of a group based in Burton-on-Trent who are restoring 1932 Minor 5 cwt van (PJ 7901), reports that the covid 19 pandemic has almost completely halted work on the car, this due to the government guidelines on social distancing. Much further south in north east London, the outbreak has produced a more positive result, with the SV £100 Minor prototype JO 764’s owner Mick Roberts being able to concentrate his (solo) energies on the car’s rebuild while ‘shielding’. It’s certainly looking good!
There is nothing glamorous about the pre-war Morris Minor, it was designed, much like the donkey, to be a Jack-of-all-trades, built to convey its owners to work and on the occasional leisure trip. As can be seen, Joe Rayner‘s animals are not just pets, they also serve a very useful purpose as lawnmowers. Trevor Wilkinson’s Minor Two-seater was one of the last of the breed, which by 1934 meant customers could expect refinements such as leather seats and trafficators. The donkey however continues in production unchanged.
East Anglia is regarded as the U.K.’s ‘breadbasket’, as many thousands of acres are devoted to arable farming. Despite it being early August, much of the 2020 cereal harvest has already been gathered. This photo of Morris Minor Semi-Sports (IA 9142) was taken five years ago in South Norfolk just prior to that season’s wheat crop being harvested. In years past this would not have happened until late August or early September. Climate change or improved farming methods? IA 9142 now resides some 200 miles to the west in South Wales, in the custodianship of Alistair Bond.
Topiary is a skill for which the exponent is rarely short of material upon which to practice. However skilful the ‘artist’, the end result is not necessarilly pleasing on the eye, much like all other forms of art. Judge for yourself with these two examples of the genre captured by Bob Howden (1932 MG Midget JY 8840) and Ken Martin (1930 Morris Minor Coachbuilt Saloon VX 4590) while out on recent jaunts along the Berks/Wilts border.
Pre-Covid. It almost looks alien now with strangers rubbing shoulders at a crowded motoring event. The occasion was a vintage aircraft display at Old Warden aerodrome in August 2012. Two Minors attended, those belonging to Wilkinson and Lambert, both of whom were taking part in a Civil Service Motoring Association (CSMA) Tour that concluded at the airfield owned by the Shuttleworth Trust.
After a twelve and a half year sojourn in the Netherlands, VG 2007 a 1929 Morris Minor Fabric Saloon has made a permanent return to the U.K. having been purchased by Tony Gamble, the well known Minor enthusiast from Selby, North Yorks. The car was first discovered in a Bungay barn in 2004 before being acquired by Halbe Tjepkema from the Hague in January 2008. Halbe completed a painstaking restoration of the car in 2018, the car making its public debut at the Networks ‘Pacesetters’ summer rally that year. (Photo: Halbe Tjepkema)
These two photographs were taken at approximately the same time and on the same day but clearly not in the same location. It’s said that it’s a long way to Tipperary, in this case about 400 miles from Tattenham Corner in Surrey. The weather in Clocully, County Tipperary as reported by Member Joe Rayner was “glorious” as he took his 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater for a run on Sunday, while a thoroughly damp Epsom racecourse didn’t prevent Philip Butland (Wolseley Hornet) and Alister Reid (Humber Tourer) attending their regular monthly meet on the Surrey downs.
The wellbeing and mental health of the nation, following a prolonged period of lockdown, appears to be a topic high on many agendas at the moment. For Minorists, re-communing with the countryside while using our cars can’t fail to raise the spirits. This beautiful photograph of 1930 Minor Coachbuilt Saloon VX 4590 set in the Wiltshire countryside is certainly uplifting. (Photo Ken Martin)
For the past five years at around this time the website receives images of Neale Elder‘s 1929 Minor special from Christchurch, New Zealand resident, John McDonald. Each year, Neale takes part in the Balcairn Trial held to the north of the city and it’s clear from the photographs that he drives his Minor enthusiastically whilst on piste. This year is no exception as can be seen in this great image taken last weekend.
Martin and Jean Gregory have recently moved to Somerset from Northamptonshire. The UK’s coronavirus lockdown regulations have meant that for the most part Martin’s 1931 Minor Coachbuilt Saloon (UF 7090) has had to remain in its new garage. However, following the recent easing of restrictions Martin has been able to begin to familiarise himself with the countryside around his new home, his Minor being the perfect vehicle for these meanderings.
During a summer when very little vintage motoring is taking place across the country, two Network members not only ventured forth onto the highways and by-ways, they remembered to take a camera with them! So thank you to the custodians of the saloons featured here, Dan Brockway (MV 6416) and Peter Brock (AAO 463). Dan described his trip into the beautiful Dorset countryside as a ‘plod’, while Peter’s Four-door Saloon is seen parked up outside his country retreat at Jesmond Dene.
This set of black & white and colour images were taken some forty years apart and perfectly illustrate the transition many of our cars undergo to arrive as survivors in the third decade of the 21st century. The 1932 McEvoy Minor Special (VK 6518) in question is currently owned by Sarah Gibson and has undergone a comprehensive rebuild while in her hands and is now an outstanding example of the model, which owes its form to the design skills of the Jensen brothers. Some forty years earlier the car was acquired by long-term Morris enthusiast David Saunders who found it in the 1960’s in the condition seen in the two b&w shots.
This photograph was found on the 100th Bomb Group Museum‘s Twitter feed and was taken by the museum’s curator on Saturday 9th June 2018. It depicts those entered for the 2018 PWMN Rally lined up alongside their cars immediately prior to the start of the Saturday tour. They are posing for the rally photo which, as is customary, is being taken by Kate Martin on the roof of the control tower, or as the Americans call it, the watchtower. (Photo courtesy of the 100th Bomb Group Museum)
On a very windy September day in 2011 a group of friends assembled with their Minors in the far east of Suffolk at Bawdsey, the intention being to visit the site of the secret WWII radar station housed in the grounds of Bawdsey Manor. For reasons that are now lost in the mist of time, the radar station visit didn’t take place but a march along the adjoining shingle beach cleared the previous night’s hangovers for all six concerned.
Reg Gammon was used as an illustrator by the Morris Owner magazine through the late nineteen twenties and into the thirties. He also worked for Temple Press, publishers of both the Light Car and Motor magazines throughout this same period. It’s no surprise to find that his talents were highly prized by these publications as his representations of cars, people and places are simple, yet skillfully applied. His obituary here makes for a very interesting read.
Two ‘saloonists’ have been taking advantage of the summer weather and the further easing of lockdown as a little needed excuse to exercise their cars. The top photo was taken by Tilly Yates, while husband Peter drove their 1933 Minor Saloon (LV 975) home as dusk was falling upon the Leicestershire countryside. Below, Ken Martin didn’t need to drive far to be deep in the Wiltshire downs, where he took this photo from the cabin of his 1930 Minor Saloon (VX 4590).
Slowly but surely some vintage motoring activities are returning. The Home Counties Section exercised three of their cars, meeting up on the downs at Epsom on Sunday, while other members simply took to the byways (OK, driveway in one case) for some high summer meandering around the lanes, keeping at least two-metres apart from other road users.
It’s amazing to think that it was five years ago that many Networkers (both past and present) took part in the Around The Edge Challenge. The aim was to circumnavigate England’s borders raising money for macmillan and other charities. The event took part in the spring of that year and here Avril and Tim Ovenden were photographed entering Winchelsea in their 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater (KJ 3553) on a cold March morning.
Almost six years ago, the Network in conjunction with the Pre-war Austin Seven Club and The Automobile magazine organised The Minor – Seven Challenge. The event took place at the 100th Bomb Group’s Museum at Thorpe Abbotts, Norfolk and took the form of a series of driving tests in which motoring journalist Matthew Bell thoroughly exercised an Austin Seven and a Morris Minor on the former WWII airfield. In this photo Matthew reverses the Austin Seven around a series of cones, with the photographer including Janie Maeers 1932 Minor Tourer (OY 3270) in the foreground. The resulting article appeared in the November 2014 edition of the magazine.
Bob Howden’s MG Midget (GY 8840) heads up this trio of open cars captured deep in the Wiltshire countryside during the 2019 Moonrakers’ Rally. Behind the MG is John Paternoster’s 1929 Morris Minor Tourer (SV 9091) while the Janie Maeers/Geof Wilson Tourer (VJ 1756) brings up the rear. (Photo Liz Thomas)
The winners of the club’s two main trophies for 2020 are John Paternoster – The Brian Maeers Claret Jug, with Chris Hipwood taking The Harry Edwards Memorial Trophy. Full citations have been posted to the website’s forum here.
Friday 5th June was to have been the date that many Network members along with their cars, assembled in Hereforshire for the start of the 2020 Marches Rally. The spread of the coronavirus across the U.K. put paid to those plans leading to the postponement of the event until the same June weekend in 2021. Until then, keep safe. (Kate Martin photo)
Network member John McDonald from Christchurch, New Zealand reports that this 1933 Minor Saloon has recently sold for $NZ300, approximately £154! John was sorely tempted to buy the car himself but the almost 2000 kilometre round trip to the Bay of Islands persuaded him otherwise! Perhaps the new owner will discover this website and forum and tell us about his new acquisition?
The 2014 Old England Rally was centred upon Cavendish in Suffolk. The weather over the weekend was changeable and included a full blown thunderstorm on the Saturday morning. By mid-afternoon the sun shone once again and here in Lavenham Stuart and Glenda Clark have folded back the Kopalapso roof of their 1930 Coachbuilt Saloon (WD 1430) while Andy Brown in his 1931 SV Minor Tourer (372 XUA) still didn’t trust the conditions and kept his hood firmly in the ‘up’ position! (Photo Ken Martin)
Robert Farnell from Yorkshire owns this red Morris Minor 5 cwt van (NSX 727) while new member Howard Annetts has recently purchased this 1929 Morris Minor Tourer (UR 4361). The car’s maiden voyage in Howard’s ownership was an inauspicious affair in that it expired with carburation issues just a mile from his Berkshire home. Both of these images are now resident in the appropriate gallery within the Members Area of the website.
Mick Robert’s restoration of the £100 Morris Minor prototype (JO 764) is now well under way. Repairs to the steel skin on the doors and scuttle have been made while some body timbers (of necessity) have been replaced and added to the frame. More images of the rebuild can be found on the website’s forum here.
Is the usage of old cars permitted following the easing of lockdown? It seems that the answer is ‘yes’, as long as they are being used to convey the individual(s) to an exercise destination. Alternatively, a trip to the post office, village food shop or supermarket also qualifies. There exist nothing in the guidelines relating to the ages of vehicles engaged in these activities.
Although lockdown has been eased slightly in England, it’s still very much in force across the rest of the U.K. If you are really keen to take a drive in your Minor, Midget or Hornet then it’s best to ensure that your car has wheels, an engine and at a stretch, a body. John Nagle doesn’t believe any of these ingrediants are vital, but making brum, brum sounds and grasping an imaginery steering wheel are definitely signs that things are getting desperate in Dorset.
The Network has had a continuous presence at the Spring Beaulieu event since 2009. In the early years Trevor Wilkinson and Chris Lambert manned the stall, even sleeping in the club gazebo on one particularly memorable, uncomfortable and very cold May weekend. From the look on stallholder Trevor Wilkinson’s face it was almost certainly the May 2010 event, the year this photo was taken. In more recent times Toby Sears has continued to fly the flag for the PWMN from his large stall in the Red field.
Mike Tebbett sent this photo of 1933 Morris Minor Saloon (VD 2631) which was taken on 8th May 2020, the 75th anniversary of the ending of the war in Europe. The car resides in Colwell, Worcs and is owned by Ian Wilson who purchased the car at a Brightwell’s auction in 2019. Meanwhile in Lymington, Hants Toby Sears had prepared his 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater (PJ 5155) for it’s VE Day Anniversary outing, by providing a suitable fine mesh mask, this despite the uncertainty around their effectiveness.
Despite being only partially rebuilt, Tony Gamble‘s Minor Arrow Special (driven by his son) is seen here attempting a passing manoeuvre along the main street in the village of Burn, North Yorkshire. In fact, this wasn’t a clandestine Minor outing at all and was a planned part of Tony (& wife Christine’s) recent property move of just a few hundred yards.
The current coronavirus lockdown means that much of our life is on ‘pause’ at the moment. That of course includes many of our leisure activities and in particular those involving our old cars – it’s difficult to justify any trip out as an essential journey when the vehicle of choice is ninety years old! So here is a reminder from 2009 of what we used to do in the early springtime. This photo was taken at the VSCC‘s Light Car Welsh Weekend on 28th March 2009. Here Sue Pimms (formerly Woodward) is about to leave section seven of the Sunday trial in her 1930 OHC engined Morris Minor Two-seater (BR 8606), but not before sharing a joke with the marshalls, one of whom is former Minor owner, Jeremy Evans. Happy days.
This Morris Minor Family Four-door Saloon (MYB 5060) left the Morris Motors Cowley plant in 1933 and was immediately exported. It’s destination was Bangalore in India where it has spent the last 87 years in the custodianship of one family. The car is now in the care of family member, Mrs Usha Devi, for whom we must thank for permitting member Kartik Lunia to pass the photographs on to us here. It’s quite possible that this is the only surving long-wheelbase Minor model in the sub-continent. The car is also an award winner as two of these photographs clearly indicate.
The PWMN’s 2012 Rally was based upon the New Forest National Park and was hosted by Toby & Linda Sears. It was also the first Network rally to be located away from the East of England. Rally HQ was situated at the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum while the rally dinner was held in the Bistro Restaurant at the Hoseason’s Shorefield Park site. Here, on an overcast day, Andrew and Sue Batey in their 1934 Morris Minor Two-seater (BPB 357), pull into the Station House Tea Rooms in Tiptoe for a cream tea around 4:00 PM on Saturday 16th June.
The FBHVC’s annual Drive-it-Day event is usually a celebration of classic and vintage motoring. Not so in 2020, with Coronavirus lock-down regulations in place across the whole of the United Kingdom. While some made at least a token gesture of driving their historic vehicles out of their garages and into the brilliant spring sunshine, others, including members Chris Healey and Andy Brown kept the dust sheets on their Minors, while awaiting the easing of the current restrictions.
The SU carburettors fitted to all Minor models were supplied without air filters attached, something that very shortly after the Minor ceased production was considered a necessity by car manufacturers. This topic is currently receiving an airing on the Network’s forum pages where practicality, innovation and what seems like quantum physics are playing out on one thread. In this photo Joe Rayner‘s innovative approach (left & middle images) go head to head with the more traditional method adopted by Trevor Wilkinson (r/h photo).
There have been very few upsides to the impact the coronavirus pandemic has made on all our lives. The current ‘lock-down’ means there are periods when time can weigh heavily, unless of course you are restoring your car. There no longer exists the need to mutter “I’m just going to spend ten minutes in the garage”, before guiltily stretching ten minutes to sixty, as all other non-garage time obstacles are probably banned for the time being. It certainly looks as if Haydon Edwards in Newcastle-upon-Tyne has been making hay, as progress on his 1932 Morris Minor Two-seater is clearly visible in this shot of XVV 334.
With cars ltucked away in garages for the duration, not too much is going-on in the PWMN world – or is that really the case? Some members are using the opportunity to press-on with long postponed updates and renovations. If you are making progress on a restoration, share the landmarks with some of the 300+ plus Discussion Forum members by joining us here.
Tony Gamble is currently building an Arrow Minor Special replica utilising a body built by Garry Waiting. In the early thirties the West London based coachbuilder, A.P. Compton & Co constructed plenty of these bodies for the Morris Minor chassis at their former tram depot works in Hanwell. Progress on Tony’s car had slowed of late as he and his wife Christine were planning on moving house this month, only for these plans to be scuppered by the coronavirus epidemic. Maybe this unfortunate setback will enable Tony to unpack some of his tools and press on with the build while he (and the rest of us) wait for calmer waters.
The custodian of this beautiful car submitted this great shot of his 1932 Morris ‘Eight’ Cunard Calshot special for inclusion in the updated Members’ Cars gallery. Over 120 images now reside there, many of them recently updated. Is your car among them? If not, submit a suitable (owner + car) image to chris@prewarminor.com
The Members’ Cars section of the website is long overdue an update, with vehicles having changed hands and recent members not providing a photo as yet. As most of us have plenty of enforced time on our hands at the moment it does provide us with a golden opportunity to update our car’s gallery image. An adjunct to this request is that you include yourself in the photo, which may prove to be something of a hurdle for some, but this is a task where partners truly can play a role in your passion/pastime/hobby! Andy Brown was quick off the mark and submitted this image of his recently re-registered 1931 SV Minor Tourer (GFZ 778). Thanks Andy. Please submit your new photo(s) to chris@prewarminor.com
Peter Brock from Newcastle-upon-Tyne owns this much travelled 1934 Minor Four-door Saloon (AAO 463). Sadly, Peter will not be using his car for the foreseeable future as his one per-day permitted ‘away from base’ exercise period excludes that option – unless of course he drives there? Alternatively, he could push his car up and down his drive, which would provide a very good cardio work-out!
In view of the ongoing Coronavirus emergency it has been deemed necessary to cancel the Network’s 2020 Rally which was to be held over the weekend 3rd-5th June. Plans are being made to retain the same venue for the 2021 event, thus ensuring that those entered for 2020 will eventually get to see the beautiful border country through which the rally’s tours pass.
Despite the fact that it looks like a proportion of us are about to be placed in Coronavirus isolation for an extended period there still remains some time to have fun in our cars before the doors finally clang shut! Non-qualifiers in respect of age, Janie Maeers and Geof Wilson, set the example in Janie’s 1929 Minor Tourer (VJ 1756) ‘Prudence’ recently, taking to the Leicestershire byways to enjoy the spring weather.
Following the recent heightened U.K. Government warning concerning the Coronavirus threat, those organising the Network’s June rally have discussed a number of possible resulting scenarios. These include complete cancellation or a postponement until later in the year. A final decision will be announced on 28th March.
Tony Gamble from Selby, North Yorks is to be the the new owner of award winning 1929 Minor Fabric Saloon VG 2007. Halbe Tjepkema reports that the car sold within 36 hours of its appearance on the Network’s home page and forum. DZ-50-41 will lose its Dutch identity in April when the car is shipped back across the North Sea.
Halbe Tjepkema from The Hague has placed his 1929 Morris Minor Fabric Saloon (DZ-50-41 ex VG 2007) for sale. The car was recovered from a Bungay, Suffolk barn in January 2008 and was subjected to a sympathetic and meticulous ten year restoration program. The finished car made its debut at the 2018 PWMN ‘Pacesetters’ Rally in Suffolk. Full details can be found on the website’s forum.
Networkers Martin and Jean Gregory have recently moved house from Northants to Somerset. The logistical problem of getting both the ‘modern’ and 1931 Minor Coachbuilt Saloon (UF 7090) to Somerset on the same day was resolved by the hiring of a vehicle transporter specialist who used this enclosed trailer to carry out the task.
In the July 2017 edition of Morris Monthly, Morris Register historian Tom Bourne, proved conclusively that the three known designs built around a shortened long-wheel-base Minor chassis were originally destined to become the revised Minor range for the 1934 model season. This trio of photos features the Two-seater model and illustrates clearly the repositioning (further forward) of the radiator. These non-adopted designs are now universally referred to as the ‘Ugly Duckling’ range. (Photos: Morris Register archive)
1933 (’34 season) Minor Two-seater (UD 5774) has recently appeared on the market and is currently being listed for sale by a trader in Bicester. This car underwent a complete and thorough restoration between 2012 and 2015. At that time, the owner established a thread on this website’s forum to record the car’s progress back to road-worthiness. Any prospective buyers may wish to check this out by joining our forum here.
This ‘special’ body has adorned much-modified 1930 Minor WL 9353 for at least 62 years. Morris Register member Clive Cotteral recalls buying the car in 1958, its special body already being in situ. It was used extensively throughout the sixties, although it has now been off-the-road since 1992. Clive has subsequently passed the car on to another family member and the hope is that it will eventually join the growing band of roadworthy pre-war Minors. Let’s hope so!
The VSCC’s Brooklands Driving Tests event is a firm New Year fixture in the club’s calendar. This year the day was blessed with glorious winter sunshine and as a result a much larger than usual crowd attended. They were treated to some spirited driving, particularly from David Rolfe in his Riley engined MG M Type special (VU 7908). Here he is seen at the end of a test sharing a joke with a marshall.
RD 4648 is a 1933 registered Meredith ‘Trinity’ Wolseley Hornet Special. The pre-digital photo seen here was taken sometime prior to August 2010 at which point the DVLA placed an export marker against the registration, indicating that the car had been sold overseas. The Trinity name was adopted as the car could be configured in three differing guises viz: a Foursome Drophead Coupe, an open four-seat tourer and finally as a sports Two-seater. At least one other ‘Trinity’ Hornet Special is known to survive here in the U.K.
The Network’s 2020 ‘Marches’ Rally is now just six five months distant. If you haven’t booked as yet, now is the time to do so. The Welsh Marches in late spring is a spectacularly beautiful part of the UK and the tour routes chosen by this year’s hosts, Tony and June Adlard exploit those memorable Marches vistas to the full. To join us over the weekend of 5th-7th June go to the Rally Page here and complete an entry form – it’s as simple as that!
The Fairmile in Cobham, Surrey was the venue for a recent New Year lunch and get-together, attended by members of the Network’s Home Counties ‘chapter’. The meet was organised by Kenneth and Liz Allen, owners of DG 8657, a 1934 Minor Saloon, while completing the party were Phil Sowry, Eric and Janice Cheetham and Alister and Mollie Reed.
Here in the U.K. a tradition has developed over the Christmas holidays, this period now becoming a recognised time to exercise classic and vintage cars. Hundreds of ‘meets’, mainly on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day take place in pub car parks and on village greens all over the country, while others just take their cars out for a mid-winter spin. Plenty of Networkers’ took to the lanes and byways, proven by this compilation of photographs, all of which were taken over the last ten days.
While the post Christmas blues may be affecting some Networkers, others have blown the cobwebs away by taking to the highways – in Mike Hobson‘s case, the very high ways! Here his 1933 Hardy Hornet Special (APB 670) sits atop of Holme Moss (1719 feet ASL) after climbing the peak in 3 minutes 25 seconds. Martin Gregory‘s 1931 Coachbuilt Saloon (UF 7090) was also out on a proving run on 29th December. Martin reports that his recent gearbox and speedo work has paid dividends and that the car performed impeccably during its 60 mile outing.
Saturday 8th June 2019 Time 12:35 PM: A trio of Minor Saloons trundle into the car park of The Prince Leopold Inn at Upton Lovell, Wilts – the venue for the Network’s lunchtime ‘halt’ on the 2019 Rally’s ‘long tour’. The two 1930 Coachbuilt Saloons (WD 1430 & VX 4590) were being driven by Stuart Clark and Ken Martin, while the partly obscured 1933 Saloon (LV 975) was under the expert pilotage of Peter Yates.
Richard Hartley has recently acquired this spring 1934, Ipswich registered, Minor Two-seater (PV 1165). The car is in need of a full restoration and is also missing some key parts. Richard has joined the website and Discussion Forum where it’s hoped the membership can help him find some of the parts he requires.
I’m saddened to have to announce the passing of Network member Peter Elliott. Peter had attended our last three rallies and will be missed by all in our community who knew him. Peter had not been well for a while but did not permit this to get in the way of his enjoyment of his Minor and the new friends he made among us. Our condolences go to his family. (Chris Lambert)
Kenneth Allen‘s 1934 Minor Saloon (DG 8657 aka DouG) has suffered more than its fair share of issues in recent times, keeping it off the road for long periods. Hopefully, the recurring problems are now things of the past and Kenneth and Minor can once again enjoy the delights of rural Surrey, as in this recent festive photo taken at Send Marsh Green.
The Toby Sears owned 1932 Minor Two-seater (PJ 5155) has recently been pressed into service as his main form of transport with his ‘modern’ being temporarily out of commission. This photo was taken on a dull, wet and windswept day on the Hampshire coast where his LED illuminated headlamps ensured that his Minor was clearly visible to other road users. It’s worth repeating the mantra ‘See and be seen’.
There is something akin to a rivalry between owners of open and closed cars, each expounding the virtues of one type over the other, given the opportunity. However, there can be little doubt that when the temperature sits just a few degrees above freezing and there is the prospect of rain, or even snow in the air, the saloon car wins hands down! Here, Ken Martin‘s 1930 Minor Coachbuilt Saloon (VX 4590) was photographed in such conditions, the photographer safe in the knowledge that when he re-enters the cabin the heat generated by the engine will soon warm him up! (Photo: Ken Martin)
The Home Counties Section recently held their Christmas get-together at the salubrious RAC Club in Woodcote Park, near Epsom in Surrey. While just two pre-war cars were in attendance, nine section members made it, including Mike Gorman who is driving the 1934 Morris Ten-four Tourer (OY 9328) seen here. Just behind the 10/4 is Keith Durston‘s 1931 MG Midget (EV 433), the photograph being taken as both cars pass through the venue’s famous gates.
Dan Brockway recently took his 1932 Minor Saloon (MV 6416) on a proving run to the Haynes Motor Museum at Sparkford, Somerset. On the way he stopped at the Sturminster Newton Mill to take this photograph of a view that will be familar to those Minorists who entered the 2007 VMR Rally, as this was a planned stop on the rally’s Saturday tour.
The new Pre-war Minor Network wall-hanging calendars are now available to purchase. Price per calendar is £12 inc. UK p&p and €17 inc. p&p rest of EU. (Please contact chris@prewarminor.com for costs to other non-EU locations). The calendars are printed on 240 gsm gloss card, are wiro bound and feature the 12 winning images from our 2019 POTY Competition, as selected by the team at Motorsport Images. Payment is accepted by via PayPal, electronic money transfer or cheques drawn on UK banks. Please email chris@prewarminor.com for bank account details should you wish to transfer funds electronically.
Congratulations to Peter Brock for this superb photo, entitled ‘Northern Light’. A clear winner according to the judges. Peter hails from the North East of England and lives not too far away from St Mary’s Island near Whitley Bay where this lighthouse is located. The photo was taken on 14th November 2019 on the 321st anniversary of the opening of the Eddystone lighthouse on 14th November 1698. Peter now becomes the new custodian of the LAT Plate, the trophy donated in recognition of the competition’s sponsors.
This photo (shot on film) was taken by Ken Martin back in the early noughties at a VSCC rally near Tewkesbury, the first such event the car (1930 Minor Coachbuilt Saloon OU 6930) and its newish owner had attended. The owner was made to feel very welcome by Barry Rogers (left) – where are you now Barry and come to that where is OU 6930?
Our Photograph of the Year Competition closes at midnight (GMT) on Monday 18th November. If you have a photograph that qualifies for entry, then go to the POTY page here, where you will find the rules and also the gallery containing the images entered to date. Please note that entry is ‘free’. (Photo: Peter Brock)
There are probably fewer than 25 Minor Sports and Special Coupes surviving across the globe. This one, a 1933 season car, has recently been unearthed in Bury, Greater Manchester. Despite losing its original registration, it comes with a current V5 and is already attracting bids on eBay here.
Dig out your favourite Minor, Midget and Hornet photographs and enter them for this year’s PWMN POTY competition. Full details can be found on this page along with the first few entries. The top twelve photos, as voted for by our panel of judges from Motor Sport Images will feature on our 2020 calendar – available early December.
Philippe Prigent from Brest, France constructed his 1929 ‘sporting’ Two-seater Minor (CR-328-EW) from the remains of a fifties homebuilt wreck he imported from the UK. For the past three years he has attended the Montlhery Classic event where he has raced the Minor on the circuit’s steep banking. This paddock shot was taken in early May 2019.
This internet sourced museum image of what is almost certainly a 1933 Minor 5 cwt van, (despite the 1934 season car front wings) is very peculiarly liveried. Zentis are a German jam manufacturer and yet the vehicle’s owner may has elected to signwrite the words Royal Mail above the Zentis logo, perhaps in acknowledgement of the van’s origins?
For those intending to enter, please note that the schedule for the forthcoming 2019 POTY competition is as follows: Entry opens – Monday 4th November. Entry closes Monday 18th November. Results declared Saturday 23rd November. (This great photo of Morris Minor Four-door Saloon AAO 463 was entered for the 2018 competition by Peter Brock and pictures the car against the backdrop of Wastwater, Wasdale in the English Lake District.)
Alan Dennison and Peter Brock both own Minor four-door saloons and have recently and quite independently, visited two interesting examples of Victorian architecture, as these images show. The buildings in question are located some 240 miles apart and exist at opposite ends of the style and functionality spectrums, despite being built within eight years of one another. The Mansion House at Old Warden Park in Bedfordshire was designed by Henry Clutton, a famous Victorian architect, for the Shuttleworth family and was completed in 1875. The coastal ‘Rocket Garage’ structure in Cullercoats, North Tyneside was built in 1867 to house hazardous materials, in this case fireworks, or more specifically rockets. The rockets were fired from the shore towards floundering shipping off the coast. Attached to each rocket was a long length of twine which in turn was attached to ropes or cables back on shore. The stranded crews, then dragged the ropes or cables on board which helped to facilitate their rescue.
When Barry Robinson was a very young man in the late fifties/early sixties he acquired his first car, a 1932 MG M Type Midget (DG 4888). His new pride and joy had originally been built as a Sportsman’s Coupe but at some point in the intervening period the original body had been replaced with something closely resembling that of an MG J2, including a fuel tank at the rear. When other necessities of life got in the way the car was reluctantly sold, a fact that Barry has always regretted. A while ago he shared his story (and some photos) with M Type guru Sam Christie. Sam archived the photos on his hard drive and the story to his grey matter. On the 8th October a ‘Buy-it-now’ advertisement for an MG M Type appeared on eBay and was subsequently reported on the network’s ‘Cars for sale’ sub-forum. Sam immediately recognised the car as that owned by Barry some 60 years previously and rang him to pass on the news, the end result being that the surprisingly little changed DG 4888 now has a new home in the West Midlands. Congratulations Barry!
The Jolvial Sailor, Ripley was the venue for the Home Counties group pub meet recently. The occasion was marked by the welcome arrival of Philip Butland in his newly recommissioned 1934 Eustace Watkins Wolseley Hornet Special (AXC 115). The recomissioning road has been a long and bumpy one but the car proved its credentials with an uneventful run from deepest Sussex to leafy Surrey and back. Here, the eight attendees gather round the Hornet for the mandatory pub-meet photo.
Vintage motoring is not always a fine weather, wind-in-the-hair experience (for those lucky enough to have some!), as can be seen by this photo of Bob Howden‘s beautiful MG M Type Midget JY 8840. The shot was taken on a very damp Saturday morning, during the 2019 Network rally weekend, just prior to the commencement of the day’s tour. Bob had driven the 20 miles from his home in Newbury to Marlborough dodging puddles along the way, his fixed tonneau testament to the threat of rain, which kept the passenger compartment dry but left him exposed to the elements. Thankfully, the weather greatly improved as the day wore on. (Photo: Louise Martin)
M12504 started life as a 1929 Minor Fabric Saloon and at some point in its history made its way to New Zealand. Here it received a new steel panelled body, perhaps from a defunct Coachbuilt Saloon. In 2009 Orchid Cars in Somerset imported the car from NZ along with the remnants of another Minor. It was then purchased by Lee Robertson who restored and rebuilt the car, registering it with the DVLA it being allocated the age-related mark BF 5452. The car passed through the hands of two further owners before being autioned by Matthewsons in March 2014 and going to ground. It transpires that the car is currently owned by a funeral director in Herefordshire, the car being spotted last July at a garden party in Bredwardine.
Tikal (pronounced Tickle) has joined a long line of Lurchers that have travelled many miles in the Maeers’ family 1929 Minor Tourer (VJ 1756), universally known as ‘Prudence‘. Seen alongside VJ, is Martin and Jean Gregory’s 1931 Coachbuilt Saloon (UF 7090), the occasion being a lunchtime meet at The Nevill Arms in Medbourne, Leics which was the Network’s Rally HQ in June 2017; the event being hosted by Janie Maeers.
Philip Butland‘s 1934 Wolseley Hornet EW Daytona Special has provided its owner with plenty to think about following its recent engine rebuild. While the power unit appears to be bedding-in nicely, the car’s steering and braking gear hasn’t followed suit. A recent trip to the Firle Hill Revival hillclimb event went without incident so perhaps things are looking-up at last.
The Morris Minor featured many times on the front covers of the three main motoring magazines making its final appearance in a Morris Motors advertisement of any type in early June 1934. This one from a year earlier points out the ‘room’ advantage to be gained by purchasing the four-door long-wheel-base Family model over the smaller swb sliding-head saloon.
With days getting shorter and the weather becoming less settled, fewer opportunities for extended runs present themselves. Recently, Peter Brock made hay (or should that be ‘straw’) while the sun shone when he took his 1934 Morris Minor Four-door Saloon for such a trip around part of rural Northumberland, seemingly at the tail-end of the local harvest.
East Anglia is famously flat and in places almost prairie like. However, there are also parts of Central England with a similar topography to that just a little further eastward. This Martin Gregory photograph of his 1931 Minor Coachbuilt Saloon (UF 7090) was taken in Northamptonshire and illustrates perfectly that similarity.
A late summer (or should that be early autumn?) run between a Suffolk and a Norfolk brewery was well attended and took place under largely blue skies. In all, ten cars and their crews took part in what was a leisurely amble through the beautiful Waveney Valley countryside. Here, a 1932 Minor Two-seater (WD 4459) exits the B1118 heading toward Weybread. (Apologies to the unnamed crew, as the note carrying this information exited the ‘cubby’ of the editor’s Semi-Sports on the return journey!) More photos at the foot of this page.
The Network’s 2020 annual rally next June (5th-7th) is to be held in and around the England- Wales border region known as the Welsh Marches. The event has been organised by Tony and June Adlard and will be based upon the Herefordshire village of Titley. Full details can be found on the new rally webpage here.
Parts of the UK and north western Europe are expecting a decent spell of late summer weather, representing a golden opportunity to make use of our cherished and much discussed Minors, Midgets and Hornets. There will be plenty of time for discussion during our long winter, so why not get out there and use them while the sun still has some warmth? After all, that’s what they were originally built to do…
While our days are definitely shorter, the grain silos are only two thirds full and hedgerow and tree foliage remain green (Apart from those on the blighted horse chestnut). Yet, if you are up early enough, there is a nip in the air that wasn’t there a week ago and the dews are heavier than of late. Harbingers of autumn? Almost certainly!
It’s said that laughter is the best medicine in which case Frank Ashley (left), Avril Ovenden (centre) and Peter Yates are in danger of overdosing! This Peter Brock photograph was taken at the recent Morris Register Thoresby Rally where both Avril and Frank were award winners. Frank’s 1929 MG M Type (PG 1045) is no stranger to winning trophies as the car competes successfully in VSCC ‘speed’ events, while Peter’s 1933 Minor Saloon (LV 975) has been a ‘regular’ at the last five Network rallies.
The recent Morris Register/MVA Rally held in the grounds of Thoresby Hall, Notts was subject to mixed weather conditions over the weekend. Saturday’s rain gave way to sunshine on Sunday while some entrants experienced appalling driving conditions on their journies home later that day. (Photo: Peter Brock)
The pre-war Morris Minor was exported to markets across the globe, the largest of these being the Dominions of the former British Empire. Perhaps the second largest (to Australia) of these markets was New Zealand where many hundreds of Minors found homes. This extract from a December 1929 Otago Times newspaper advertisement proclaims the Minor as “the world’s economy car” while further claiming later in the text that 50 mpg was not unusual. Hmm!
This internet sourced image shows Dave Cooksey at speed in his 1930 Duple dual-bodied Minor Special. This may resemble the standard 1930 Minor Tourer, in fact most would be hard pressed to spot the difference. However, those with a keen eye would pick out the dividing arc of a neat join over each rear wheel, where the tourer body can be replaced by that of a van via the simple expediant of undoing four nuts and lifting it off. The photo was taken on the Bean Car Club’s annual Daffodil Run, which this year took-in stretches of the New Forest in Hampshire.
Rasmus Larsen from Oelgod, Denmark owns this 1931 Minor Two-seater (z9489). Images appear on the internet around this time each year of Ramus and his car attending a rally, although the name of the rally and where it is held has not been established to date. Regardless of that lack of data, his car always looks to be immaculately turned out and is an excellent ambassador for the model in that part of Northern Europe.
The euphoria surrounding the excellent news that the prototype S.V. Morris Minor JO 764 has been saved should not detract from the task that lies ahead for its new owner, Mick Roberts. This image provides an indication of the condition of the car as purchased, while the term ‘nut & bolt’ restoration is totally apt in this instance.
Thanks to the intervention and purchase by London Morris enthusiast Mick Roberts, JO 764, the famous £100 Morris Minor prototype has been rescued from a North Devon theme park, where the ravages of time and the salty sea air were having a serious detrimental effect on the car’s structure. This nationally important vehicle is now safely ensconced in Mick’s workshop where a thorough and sympathetic full restoration will soon commence.
This superb internet sourced image of 1932 McEvoy Minor VK 6518 with driver Sarah Gibson and a young passenger deserves proper accreditation. If the name and contact details of the photographer are known, then please pass them onto info@prewarminor.com
Just a trio of 1932 Morris Eight Cunard Calshot specials are known to have survived, two of which are currently roadworthy. The third such car (MU 6066), owned by Network member Toby Sears, is currently undergoing restoration in a specialist coachbuilder’s workshop ‘somewhere in southern England’ where this image shows progress to date.
On 21st September next, this 1933 Morris Minor Two-seater will be offered for sale by R.M. Sotherby’s auction house in Portugal. While purists may baulk at the sight of the small wheels and large tyres, its overall condition will surely attract plenty of potential buyers. The vehicle’s history file indicates that it has spent its entire life in Portugal. View Sotherby’s listing here.
‘Blown’ 1932 McEvoy Minor VK 6518 is piloted by Sarah Gibson through the ‘Esses’ at the recent Pre-war Prescott event. Seated alongside Sarah is Simon Hodgins, the owner of a Jensen version (EC 9783) of Sarah’s car, although his model has been retro fitted with an OHC Minor engine which replaced the original SV unit.
If you weren’t watching the cricket World Cup at Lords, the men’s singles final at Wimbledon or even the British Grand Prix at Silverstone then the place to be to watch exciting live sport was Chateau Impney near Montpellier Droitwich in Worcestershire. It was here that Janie Maeers and Geof Wilson spent the weekend, displaying VJ 1756, Janie’s 1929 Minor Tourer in the grounds of the chateau while the famous Chateau Impney Hill Climb took place around them. (Photo Geof Wilson)
Brian Barling from Cumbria has owned this 1930 Minor Coachbuilt Saloon (TF 889) from the Fifties, placing it in long term storage in the early Sixties where it remained until just a few weeks ago. It has now been passed on to David Bowman who recently successfully started the car for the first time in over 50 years.
Peter Green hosted the annual Triple M Garden Party at his South Bucks home on 7th July. Keith Durston reports that the event was very well attended with plenty of M Type Midgets present, their owners celebrating the 90th anniversary of the commencement of Midget production in Oxford in February 1929. (Photo: Keith Durston)
London resident, Mick Roberts restored and maintains both of these beautiful cars. The award winning 1932 Minor Two-seater (RB 6357) was the smallest car in the pre-war Morris range while his six cylinder 3.5 litre Morris 25 model (JT 667) probably ranks as the largest car dimensionally ever to have left the Cowley works!
Ken Martin reports that this 1931 £100 Minor (EV 719) was spotted at a Morris Register pub meet near Marlborough recently, the female driver pulling-in having seen the collection of Morris cars in the pub car park. Unfortunately, details were not exchanged and she drove off, although not before Steve Knight had taken this photo. The Network’s archive contains just one further image of the car, copied from a DVCA auction ‘ad’ dated March 2013 where it was listed with a guide price of £5-£6K.
After a weekends rallying, a hose down and leather off is a must if vintage cars are to be maintained in a good cosmetic condition. Janie Maeers and Geof Wilson went one better with Janie’s 1929 Minor Tourer (VJ 1756), when they opted for a shampoo at their local car wash facility, having wisely decided not to take it through the fully mechanised version!
The summer solstice is upon us, with upto 19 hours of daylight available to some. There can be no better time for those who live in the northern hemisphere to remove dust sheets, fill up with fuel and make use of these great little cars – far more fun than just talking about them! (Seen here: Steve Lewsley doing just that in his 1929 MG Midget replica and appropriately registered SL 9739)
Peter Brock from Newcastle-upon-Tyne recently took part, along with his 1934 Minor Four-door Saloon (AAO 463), in the annual Beamish Trial. The field of 150 historic vehicles were tasked with completing a gruelling hilly course through Cumbria and North Yorkshire. Here, part of the field are parked up on the village green at Bainbridge in Wensleydale for their scheduled lunch stop.
Many of the Wiltshire Downs have gradients that can test 90 year old vehicles to the limit. Here Avril and Tim Ovenden in their 1932 season Minor Two-seater are approaching the summit of one such incline, safe in the knowledge that ‘what goes up…..’ Photo: Kate Martin. The 2019 Rally Galleries page is now open to view – Many more images will be added over the coming days.
The recent 2019 PWMN Rally took-in some of England’s most picturesque and unheralded villages. This unnamed gem appeared around a bend in the road and gave those taking part a very pleasant surprise. Here Chris and Sue Hipwood in their fully renovated 1934 Season Saloon follow the Morris Eight of Gary and Anne Keys along the village’s deserted main street. (Photo: Norma Lambert)
Shelsley Walsh, Worcs was the venue, when on 9th June 1934 Barbara Skinner competed in the White Minor Skinner Special for the very first time. To celebrate this important 85th anniversary, current custodian David Baldock has painted the car in its original all-white colour scheme. Next stop Shelsley?
The sun made several appearances during the course of the Network’s Saturday tour and shone continously on the righteous at the cream tea stop. Nick Jarman’s Semi-Sports and Bob Howden’s M Type enter the car park of the The Millstream pub at Marden to top up the calorific intake prior to the rally dinner just a few hours later!
Despite the worst that Storm Miguel could offer, almost all rally entrants made it to the Castle & Ball Hotel for the traditional ‘Meet & Greet’ event. Included among these intrepid motorists were the Roests from the Nederlands with their beautiful 1930 Jarvis Hornet Special, seen here alongside Peter Yate’s 1933 Minor Saloon and John Nagle’s 1934 Two-seater.
The tenth annual Pre-war Minor Network Rally commences on Friday 7th June with a record entry due to take part. The event is based upon the historic English coaching town of Marlborough, Wilts from whence news and photos from the rally will be posted on the website’s forum here. (Photo Kate Martin)
Final Network rally preparations are underway across the UK as rallyists prepare their cars for the rigours of a trip to Wiltshire on 7th June. The boot of a Minor Semi-Sports is difficult to access, (via the tilting seat back) and awkwardly shaped, with a good 40% of of its capacity being occupied by the spare wheel. A tool roll, petrol can and essential spares take-up much of what remains, so a luggage rack is almost a necessity if anything more than a change of underwear is required over the course of the weekend!
The 2019 PWMN Moonrakers’ Rally kicks off in less than a weeks time, centered upon the historic Wiltshire town of Marlborough. A record entry of 32 cars and their crews are scheduled to take part and will traverse the county’s rolling countryside using byways and lanes ideally suited for these 90 year-old vehicles. The image above was taken at the start of the Saturday tour on the 2014 ‘Olde England’ rally based in the Suffolk village of Cavendish.
1930 MG Midget WM 5429 2M/1771 has a new owner in Tony Gamble from Selby, North Yorks. It transpires that the motive behind Tony’s recent sale of his Minor projects was to clear some garage space for this, another car requiring significant work before it is ready to take to the Queen’s highway. Congratulations on your new acquisition Tony!
During the course of a long rally tour it’s not aways convenient to stop where the facilities are located, hence the reason for these abandoned Minor saloons. The photographer stumbled upon them in the Gloucestershire countryside with the occupants nowhere to be seen, although it transpired, the culprits were very close by.
Richard Hurdwell owns this 1934 Abbey bodied E.W. Wolseley Hornet special (VE 9956) and attended the VSCC’s Suffolk Tour on 19th May. However, in this photo taken deep in the Suffolk countryside to the north-east of Newmarket, it’s not Richard at the wheel but a young family member given the opportunity to taste the delights of vintage motoring.
Geof Wilson is endeavoring to finish his Wasp Minor Special in time for the Network’s rally which is now just three short weeks away. His car is seen here being loaded for a trip to his panel-beating shop for the remaining panels to be fitted, prior to the addittion of wings, radiator, instrumentation etc., plus of course some initial proving runs.
Network members, Linda & Toby Sears and Kate & Ken Martin have just returned from a Morris Register organised tour to the south west of England. Unfortunately, Ken Martin’s Minor Saloon developed an engine issue just prior to departure, necessitating the use of the family’s Vanden Plas Princess. No such issues for Toby and Linda who drove across from the New Forest in their 1933 Minor Saloon (YG 2017). Photo: Ken Martin
Les Beardmore in Lytham, Lancs has just completed a six-year restoration of this 1931 Minor Semi-Sports (EC 9689). The Westmoreland registered car has not been on the road since the 90s and will sit alongside a Stewart & Ardern registered 1931 £100 Two-seater (MU 3272), which was also restored by Les. EC 9689 joins a growing number of roadworthy (genuine and replica) Semi-Sports models, a Minor variant that until 15 years ago was a rare sight at Morris gatherings.
Great swathes of the UK countryside are currently splashed with bright yellow as the flowers from the vast oilseed rape crop bloom. John Paternoster spotted such a field on Romney Marsh, East Sussex while out and about in his 1929 Minor Tourer SV 9091 and took this photo on his phone. He was at pains to point out that no plants were damaged in the taking of the photo as his Minor was parked on a barren strip of soil.
Network member Ian Judd is the long-term owner of a much travelled 1930 MG Midget, registered MG 703. Like many other old car enthusiasts, Ian took his MG for an outing on Drive-it-Day last Sunday (28th April). His run from his Leeds home took him to the North Yorkshire Moors and this stunning view of the local scenery. It looks like it’s still winter up there!
Kartik Lunia, the current custodian of 1930 Minor Tourer USJ 1795 has been researching its history. As a result, he has made contact with a previous long-term owner, Mr. Virendranath (VN) Misra, a retired former officer of the Indian Police Service and the Lucknow Fire Department. It was one of Mr. Misra’s three daughters who supplied this photo, taken in the early 90’s. There now exists the real prospect of a reunion of the recently renovated car with members of the family who owned it for many years right upto 2010.
This great shot of Mike Dalby in his 1930 Southampton registered MG Midget (OU 4824) was taken by photographer Colin Murrell at the recent Kimber Classic Trial. Organised by the MG Car Club’s South Western Centre, the trial took place on 13th April in and around the Somerset/ Dorset border and was centered close to Yeovil. This photo was originally spotted on the Triple M Register’s forum which contained a link to the club’s Facebook page here. (Image courtesy Colin Murrell and Triple M Register)
A settled spell of weather across western Europe has tempted some Minorists’ and their cars out of hibernation. Joe Rayner is certainly not one of those as he uses his 1932 Minor Two-seater ZV 83851 all-year-round. This photo was taken in beautiful weather at Fourmilewater, Waterford where the road crosses the River Nire.
This 1933 model year Minor Saloon was first registered in Buckinghamshire in October 1932 and has been locked away in a garage for over 50 years. Its new owner intends to restore the car to running order. The full story can be found on the website’s forum.
The prize for Tineke Roest‘s winning entry for the 2018 POTY Competition was the selection of an image from the vast LAT collection owned by Motorsport Images. The Roest’s chose this pit scene from a 1927 Brooklands event, a huge print of which now adorns their garage wall in which rests their almost contemporary 1930 Wolsley Hornet Jarvis Special.
Almost 45 years ago Tony Gamble began his long association and passion for the pre-war Morris Minor. Back in 1975 one of his very first models was this 1931 SV scuttle tank Saloon, bought in a run-down state and partially renovated before being passed on just a few months later. Many more were to follow, mainly OHC models although at least two further SV cars passed through his hands. Next month’s (May) Morris Monthly is due to feature an article on Tony and his Minors – look out for it!
With the Network’s rally just 6 weeks away, the club’s trophies are being gathered together prior to a visit to the engravers, where the names of the 2019 winners will be inscribed on their bases. The 2018 winner of the Brian Maeers Claret Jug, Dan Brockway, took this photo of the trophy along with his 1932 Minor Two-seater (APC 484) by way of a memento of his award which was presented at last year’s rally dinner.
The MG Workshop, in The Hague suburbs, is a mecca for Dutch MG enthusiasts and particularly so for those with an interest in Triple M cars. Here Henri de Jong’s MG F1 Magna sits alongside Halbe Tjepema’s award winning Minor Fabric Saloon as their owners discuss the Nederland’s chances in the upcoming cricket world cup.
For prospective buyers of a pre-war Minor, Midget or Hornet, quite a choice are currently available. There are cars to suit most budgets from projects at just £1 or £2K, to pristine fully restored cars for upwards of £20K. Take a look on the Network’s forum for further details and comment for those shown above.
This 1934 Stewart & Arden registered Minor Two-seater (MU 8234) appeared for sale in the north of England on four separate occasions earlier this decade before subsequently going to ground once again, as so many Minors do. Its image has now re-surfaced on the internet showing the car appearing at a show. Is its current whereabouts known?
The Network’s annual rally is now just two months away. Over 30 entries have been received to date and only a few more remain available. It’s not too late to book – click here to find out more.
Although there is a signal to start the Saturday tour of a Network rally it isn’t signified by the dropping of a flag. Given the word, drivers don’t race in an undignified manner across the tarmac to scramble into their cars, they start as they mean to carry on, at a leisurely pace with a polite “After you” gesture to those entering the traffic stream. However, the Saturday rally dinner is another matter entirely… Above: The scene at the start of the 2018 Network Rally as drivers begin to leave the 100th Bomb Group Museum assembly area for a days drive through rural England. (Places still available on the 2019 Moonrakers’ Rally to be held in June.)
For 32 years the London Motor Show was held each October at Olympia, W14 before eventually moving to the newly constructed Earls Court, SW5 in 1937. The show was a huge event in the motoring calendar with all major manufacturers (bar Ford) exhibiting. The three main motoring magazines produced a series of mammoth Motor Show special editions throughout the month of October, all crammed with advertisements, reports and photographs. For the visitor , the show programme was a gargantuan, almost 500 page tome, while the cover of the publication pictured here was perhaps the most diminuitive at 4″x3″ and just 30 pages. If you wanted to know how much your 1930 Minor Coachbuilt Saloon was worth then this booklet contained the information, in much the same way that a similar sized edition of Glass’s Guide (launched 1933) would.
The Eight Bells in Bolney, West Sussex was the venue for the Home Counties spring meet. Keith Durston’s 1930 MG M Type, along with John Emmett’s 1932 D Type (WM 7500), ensured there were two Minor derived 847 cc power units flying the flag, while the other seven attendees arrived in their moderns. (Photo: Philip Butland)
Rallies are not always blessed with wall to wall sunshine. This shot of Garry Waiting’s 1930 MG M Type BF 5508 (now owned by Sam Christie) pictured alongside Halbe Tjepkema’s Aston Martin Le Mans was taken at Old Warden Airfield on a very wet Sunday lunchtime during the course of the Pre-war Minor Network rally in June 2011.
Simon Edwards recently travelled from England to Kangaloon, New South Wales in order to finalise the purchase of this 1929 Minor special, M7490. As can be seen, the Minor’s original roadster body is beyond salvation but plans are now in hand for a new body to be constructed locally, which will reflect the car’s Ozzie roots. Watch this space for progress reports as the rebuild gets under way.
Kenneth Allen from Woking, UK met up with fellow Network member Michael Mullins while holidaying recently in New South Wales, Australia. Michael is selling his immaculate Holden bodied 1931 Minor four-seat tourer, full details of which can be found on this website’s Discussion Forum.
Precisely one year ago the editorial 1930 MG ‘M’ Type GH 6758 was paraded in the heavy snowfall to capture a few images for the website. ‘The beast from the east’ was at that point sweeping across great swathes of Britain causing travel mayhem for all those needing to be out and about. Twelve months later (to the day) the contrast couldn’t be more striking. Another highly unusual and as yet unnamed record-breaking weather event is enveloping most of the British Isles providing a very early taste of summer. (Both photos taken mid-morning on 27th February, 2018 & 2019 respectively) Drag the arrows to fully reveal each image.
Most of the United Kingdom has been basking in warm spring-like sunshine for a number of days now. Martin Gregory (and others) have been taking advantage of this unseasonal weather by exercising their cars, many of which have been holed-up under dustsheets in garages and look-ups awaiting spring’s official arrival. Here 1931 Minor Coachbuilt Saloon (UF 7090) is captured ‘paused’ alongside a quiet Northamptonshire byeway after a recent run-out.
Autocar (India) magazine are joint sponsors of one of India’s most prestigious car events. the Cartier Concours D’elegance. Held over the weekend 23rd & 24th February a 1930 Tourer (USJ 1795) is flying the flag for the pre-war Morris Minor (seen here on the assembly day Friday 22nd). Flying the flag for Cartier was HRH Prince Michael of Kent who is seen standing alongside Kartik Lunia’s recently refurbished car.
USJ 1795, Kartik Lunia’s Jaipur, India based 1930 Minor Tourer is currently undergoing a program of refurbishment which has included, new paintwork and a complete re-trim. The car has been entered for a rapidly approaching concours d’elegance event and hopefully will be completed in time for it to participate!
Entries continue to be received for the 2019 MoonrakerRally to be held next June in Wiltshire. While the common thread of a love for Minors, Midgets and Hornets bind together those entering the event, another significant factor is that it provides opportunities to renew old friendships and to make new ones. (For entry details – scroll further down this page.)
In January 1975 Paul Harris was the custodian of 1934 Minor Two-seater OW 4224. On a very frosty morning he took his car for a run around the by-ways of rural Berkshire, this shot (scanned from a 35mm slide) was taken near his home in Wokingham. To read more about Paul’s Minors follow this link to a spring 1979 article he wrote for the Morris Register Journal.
The VSCC’s annual New Year Driving Tests took place at Brooklands on 27th January in mixed weather conditions. The Minor, M Type Midget and Hornet communities all had solitary representatives among a 58 car field. Here, Andrew Lucena’s 1932 paneled Midget (GX 1047) is seen being enthusiastically driven around one of the sections positioned upon the circuit’s original Start/Finish straight. NB.Biggles would have been horrified to see an untethered flying helmet!
Tim Stubbs and his eight strong team of helpers have made a rapid start to the restoration of this Surrey registered 1932 Minor 5 cwt van (PJ 7901) in their Burton-on-Trent workshop. There are a number of other images of the van available to view on the website’s forum, most of which feature tea cups…
Barbara Skinner‘s illustrious, albeit short motor sport career ended on the 25th May 1938 when she took part in the Spring Shelsley meeting in her brother’s Red Hudson ‘Straight-eight’ powered, Skinner Special. Her sibling also competed in the same car that day gaining a class win. The White Minor page within the Member’s Area of the website has been updated with a short article describing Barbara’s extra-curricula motor sport career, which includes a gallery of images from the Network’s archive and elsewhere. This May 1938 photo of Barbara in her brother’s car appears courtesy of David Baldock.
Toby and Linda Sears both look surprised to see Avril Ovenden in her 1932 season Minor Two-seater gaining on them, while both cars race along a section of the Thorpe Abbotts perimeter track which was originally built in 1942 to handle the mighty Flying Fortresses of the 100th Bomb Group. Philip Butland’s photo was taken during the afternoon of Sunday 10th June on the final day of the Network’s 2018 rally.
Some 15 years ago Philippe Prigent from Brest, France purchased a 1929 OHC Minor special in the UK. Over the next decade Philippe rebuilt the car, disposing of the old body and creating a new one from scratch. The pleasing result can be seen in this image of the car, which was taken at the famous pre-war circuit of Montlhery in May 2017. Car and driver return to the same circuit in May this year, when once again his special will take on all comers!
Despite the brevity of daylight hours and the mucky conditions on some of our roads at this time of year, some Minorists continue to exercise their cars at every opportunity. Here, an outing by Marlborough based Ken Martin to Salisbury Plain in his 1930 Minor Coachbuilt Saloon (VX 4590) was recently captured to good effect through the lens of his digital camera.
The media traditionally uses this time of the year for reflection, peering both into the future and the past. This home page screen-snip from July 2009 may be familiar to some but it does serve to remind that 2019 represents the tenth anniversary of the fledgling website’s Image of the week (IOTW) feature, the top of that first offering being visible here. The image was an overhead view of the Minor production line, taken in either 1929 or 1930.
A Sunday highlight of the 2018 ‘Pacesetters Rally’ in Suffolk was an impromptu challenge between two tuned Minor Tourers driven by Janie Maaers and John Paternoster respectively. Having disappeared into the distance along the Thorpe Abbotts perimeter track the two adversaries can just be seen returning beyond the editorial Semi-Sports and Halbe Tjepkema’s newly restored Fabric Saloon. (Photo: Halbe Tjepkema)
Thanks to those who submitted images and reports of holiday capers, all of which can be found on the website’s Discussion Forum here.
The archive team at Motor Sport Images Ltd have ajudged that the winner of the 2018 PWMN Photograph of the Year Competition is Tineke Roest’s entry, ‘Alpine Winter Sports’. In 2017 the winning image was entered by Ari Roest, Tineke’s husband, so very much a case of keeping it in the family. Congratulations Tineke! The winning image was one of 12 from the 61 photographs entered that were selected by the adjudicators to appear in the 2019 Pre-war Minor Network calendar. The calendars will be available for delivery in early January and are priced at £11.50 U.K. and £12.50 European Union (p&p included). Order via chris@prewarminor.com
The River Tar flows through County Tipperary in the Irish Republic and at Ballybacon, in the Barony of Iffa & Offa, the river passes under a humpback bridge. Seeing a photo-opportunity, Joe Rayner did no more than park his 1932 Minor Two-seater (ZV 83851) on the crest of the ‘hump’. The resulting photograph can be seen above while the traffic jam Joe caused took almost 20 seconds to clear.
The brightly painted (and very expensive) beach huts that line the sea wall at Southwold, Suffolk provide a colourful contrast to the blue seas and skies to be seen here in high summer. In the winter it’s a different matter, although an overcast sky and rough seas can be a dramatic, as opposed to a picturesque, backdrop for a photograph of a Morris Minor!
Taken at Thoresby, Notts in August 2012, this photo of David Brown‘s Minors displays their twin carburettor configuration to good effect. The OHC Minor in the foreground is known as the ‘Baby Bentley’, while the SV variant behind, famously completed a tour around the UK mainland coastline in the early years of this millenium. (Photo: Philip Butland)
The Home Counties group met recently at the illustrious Royal Automobile Club at Woodcote Park, Epsom, Surrey for what has become their annual pre-Christmas ‘bash’. The meet was organised and hosted by RAC member Alister Reid who was joined by a disparate band of enthusiasts from across the south of England. Apparently, a good time was had by all!
Pat Oliver, the Network’s guest-of-honour at the 2016 Jurassic Rally, died yesterday (30th November) following a period of illness. Her daughter Jackie Hammond had notified the Network earlier in 2016 of her Mum’s desire to be reunited with a Minor Tourer, a car in which she had learned to drive in the early fifties and then went on to pass her test. Thanks to current Minor Tourer owners Janie Maeers and John Paternoster, Pat’s wish was fulfilled. Our condolences go to Jackie and all of Pat’s family members.
(Photo: Janie Maeers)
The webpage setting out the rules for this year’s PWMN Photograph of the Year Competition has now been launched. The page can be found here or under the red button on the website header image. Entries are now being accepted, the first items appearing in the competition gallery on Saturday 1st December. As one famous East Anglian female resident eloquently put it, “Let’s be avin ya” – its time to submit your entry! Please email them to info@prewarminor.com
This internet sourced image shows a 1930/31 CF3 Wolseley Hornet Special (13-ELT-95) on the steeply banked Montlhery racing circuit 19 miles south of Paris. The circuit, opened in 1925 and in the years running up to WWII was host to many record breaking speed events as well as a number of French Grand Prix. George Eyston was a regular visitor during this period, his runs in the Magic Midget resting many class H records away from Austin. In recent times Montlhery has hosted a revival meeting each year, this photo being taken at one such event.
Avril & Tim Ovenden have owned their 1932 season Minor Two-seater (KJ 3553) since 2012. In the meantime they have extensively used their car, taking it to six Network rallies, attending a similar number of MR Thoresby Hall events, have been to Pre-war Prescott, used it for an ‘Around the Edge’ section and much more besides. It travels to these events contained within the luxury of an enclosed and converted horse-box and as can be seen from this photograph, is a cossetted and well tended thoroughbred!
The recent glorious autumn sunshine has been cause for the delay of many pre-winter chores of late as vintage car owners have opted to take advantage of the weather by heading for the lanes and byways. Joe Rayner was one such owner who exercised his 1932 Minor Two-seater ZV 83851 on very quiet Irish roads. ‘Doris’ is seen here parked-up on the approaches to Knocklofty Bridge in County Tipperary.
This photo of Garry & Marge Schultz with their 1930 Australian bodied Minor Tourer first appeared in Queensland’s Toowoomba Chronicle newspaper. The Schultz’s were attending the end of a stage of the Great Endeavour Rally, a challenging charity event held in what is jokingly described as ‘rural Australia’ and better known as ‘the outback’.
Originality is a hot topic in the pre-war car world but some things should not stand in the way of progress, particularly where safety is concerned. Plenty of Minor owners are now fitting LED lamps to their cars, these being many times brighter than the low wattage tungsten bulbs they are replacing. Peter Yates was an early convert, fitting LED bulbs to his 1933 Saloon (LV 975) some years ago. It means that now his Minor can be used around-the-clock, which of course includes attending his local Morris Register evening noggin as can be seen in this shot.
All is not what it seems with this internet sourced, Minor pick-up image. The front half of the vehicle’s bodywork was originally fitted to a 1930-31 Coachbuilt Saloon while the load carrying area is a recent addittion, as of course is the age related plate, BS 9340. There are two towns in the UK named Netherton, one in the West Midlands the other in Merseyside. A Google search revealed that this ‘P. Smith – Decorator’ resides in Netherton, near Dudley, in the West Midlands.
Earlier this year Tineke & Arie Roest completed a 1600 mile road trip from their home in Holland for a tour around the island of Ireland. Their 1930 Jarvis Hornet special proved to be an extremely reliable mode of transport which attracted attention whenever it stopped, despite their best efforts to ensure it blended in with the background.
A great photo taken in April 2016 by Pete Edgerler at the annual Amberley, Sussex meeting. RX 9207 is an excellent example of a 1932 season Minor Two-seater and had been offered for sale on various platforms for over a year before being passed on to an Essex trader. The car has now sold and is hopefully in the hands of someone who will make regular use of it.
The 2019 PWMN Rally is proving to be the hottest ticket in town! Over two thirds of the available spaces have already been allotted, just seven days after booking availability was announced. If you have been considering entering, don’t delay – you can find a booking form here.
Simon Edwards is about to embark on a trip to Australia to finalise the acquisition of a 1929 Minor rolling chassis along with the remnants of a locally built two-seater body. Upon arrrival back in the UK he will be seeking a restorer to renovate the rolling chassis and to build an appropriate body. If you know of someone who would be prepared to take on such a task, please contact the Network.
The Network’s 2019 Rally is returning to Marlborough and the rolling downs of Wiltshire. The 30 available entries are sure to be taken-up very quickly, so download and submit your entry form (to be found on the newly launched rally page) in order to guarantee your place!
Please note an unavoidable late change of venue for Sunday’s pub meet. The new venue is The Manor House at Wortham, just off the A143, approximately 2.5 miles distant from the Cross Keys. Start time remains noon. The late change was made necessary by sickness among the catering staff at the Cross Keys.
Mike Jones took along his recently acquired 1933 Minor Saloon to the VSCC’s September monthly pub meet at North Lopham, Norfolk. Just 10 months previously the VSCC Committee had voted to add the SV Morris Minor to their PVT list, thereby permitting the SV cars to compete in VSCC events alongside the already eligible OHC models. Also present was Dave Philips in his 1934 EW Wolseley Hornet special along with the editorial Semi-Sport. (Still minus a numberplate digit.)
The Network’s Far Eastern Autumn Pub Meet is scheduled to take place at The Cross Keys pub in Redgrave, Suffolk on Sunday 7th October. A small reconnaissance party called by on a glorious September day in order to test the facilities and sample the local ale. All boxes were successfully ticked. Put the date in your diary and just turn-up – from noon onwards.
In May this year the seaside town of Eastbourne, Sussex held a classic and vintage car parade. The parade was reminiscent of the twenties and thirties Concours d’Elégance events which were held each September in the town throughout that pre-war period. Here a 1933 Minor homebuilt special (JO 7209) is captured taking-part by photographer, Nigel Buckner.
If you haven’t as yet taken a photo for entry into this year’s POTY Competition, it’s certainly not too late to do so. Autumn sunlight and old cars could prove to be an alchemic mixture and would provide an excellent reason to exercise your Minor, Midget or Hornet, should you need such justification!
Frank Higgin’s has owned his 1930 OHC Minor UY 9222 for over 30 years. It’s story is an interesting one as told by Frank himself: “My Minor (originally a saloon) has been messed about with over the years I believe at one time it had a “replica” glass fibre Edwardian style body! Later it seems that somebody found a rather rusty £100 body patched it up with liberal use of body filler put a home-made exhaust system and a modern (MinI?) carb on it and that was what it was like when I got it. Over the years I have sorted it out and although the body is still a bit scruffy (but most of the filler has been removed!). It has never been restored as such, but just maintained and improved.”
Peter Brock and his 1934 Morris Four-door Family Saloon (AAO 463) have been off on their travels once again, on this occasion a 220-mile round trip (by road) from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway. The purpose of the journey was to visit both ends of Hadrian’s Wall, which as can be seen on the sign at the Bowness end of the wall, is only 84 miles distant from Wallsend, should you be inclined to follow the route of the wall on foot.
The two images seen here were taken at the 2018 PWMN Rally on Thorpe Abbotts airfield from differing perspectives at precisely the same moment by separate photographers. Probably not a rare occurrence at a large event, but an eerily unusual one with just twenty people present! Please note that bookings will shortly be taken for the Network’s 2019 rally based upon the beautiful Wiltshire town of Marlborough.
A car park scene from a recent Home Counties gathering at The Sportsman in Mogador, Surrey taken by Malcolm Bailey. Malcolm reports that as is the custom at all Home Counties ‘meets’ conviviality reigned! Those to be seen in this image are Tim, Michael, Alister Reid, Keith Durston and John Emmett. Apologies to Tim and Michael for the lack of surnames.
The car sitting alongside Ken Martin’s Essex registered Coachbuilt Saloon VX 4590 is a Chester registered 1932 MG F2 Magna FM 7263. The Magna has been off the road for at least 50 years and has been subject to a painstaking restoration at the hands of Mike Bradbury who is co-owner of the car along with his twin brother Tony. Ken was visiting his friend Mike to celebrate the car’s public debut but a gremlin in the cylinderhead put paid to that, the celebratory champagne being put back on ice. (The F2 Magna uses a thinly disguised version of Wolseley’s six-cylinder 1271cc Hornet engine which was in turn derived from the four-cylinder Minor power unit.)
Former Network member John Pallister completed a thorough rebuild of 1933 Minor Saloon 806 YUJ (ex JF 4238) in the early part of this decade, an article recording his efforts appearing in a spring 2011 edition of the Automobile magazine. John used the car extensively before selling it on to a buyer in the home counties. The new owner made little use of the car before it was sold once again some four or five years ago. Since then it has disappeared without trace, unfortunately a very familiar story. If you know the current whereabouts of this car please contact the Network. The image shows John Pallister standing alongside his Minor at Killhope Wheel, Cowshill, County Durham – the site of a former lead mine and now a museum.
In what is an experiment and an attempt to give the Photograph of the Year competition a little more focus, it is to be themed for 2018. The theme is to be ‘Regional Identity’ which it’s hoped will ensure a variety of backdrops to the images that will eventually make-up the pages of the 2018 PWMN calendar. It will not matter a jot if the shots are clichéd in that the subject matter of car and landscape have been seen previously. The hope being that it may encourage those who have avoided taking part in the competition previously by removing one element of the decision-making process and providing a fixed focus as to location and content. If the past is anything to go by, then we can expect to see some innovative and interesting images as a result. As was the case last year, entrants will be able to submit up to three shots.(Image: Joe Raynor)
(With perhaps two months of the 2018 driving season remaining there is still plenty of time to plan and take your competition entries before the competition proper opens on 1st December)
Ken Martin’s 1930 Minor Coachbuilt Saloon VX 4590 was on wedding duty once again last week, on this occasion in Worcester on 15th August. His Minor has conveyed six other brides to the altar prior to this (including his daughter) and he informs the Network that his shop-soiled confetti business is now in profit. Ken’s Saloon also made an appearence in the recent past at Tony Hale’s funeral, an old Morris Register friend.
This looks like a challenge! Restorer Tony Gamble has just acquired a kit of body parts that had originally left Cowley in 1929 as a Minor Tourer. He advises that this will be his final project although he failed to mention that his workshop still contains two ongoing projects that deserve to see the light of day soon!
A further shot of Peter Stubberfield’s 1929 Minor Tourer VF 6700 has been added to the small gallery of images taken at last June’s LC&ES Rally held in Shropshire. This black & white version of Mike Tebbett’s photo could almost have been taken in period and shows Peter’s Minor passing the blacksmith’s forge in Cleobury North, Salop.
Over the course of the past thirty years Tony Gamble has been responsible for returning many (mainly OHC) Minors to the road and has always supported the model. Just how many Minors are currently running around thanks to Tony’s efforts is hard to prize out of him, but it’s well into double figures. The latest example is this 1928 Tourer GU 4310 which has utilised a redundant body and is now (almost) ready to roll once again!
OV 5562 is a 1931 SV Minor 5cwt van seen here with new owner John Gray at a recent Lincolnshire show. The van first came to the Network’s attention back in 2012 when in the ownership of Martyn Griffiths and was twice sold earlier this year, on the last occasion in April by the Vintage Petrol Pump Garage.
A glance at the handwritten Morris progress books which recorded Minor production throughout the model’s life will show that the vast majority of cars passed along the line in model batches. For example it was not unusual for a batch of twenty saloons to be followed by five Tourers and then by a batch of ten Two-seaters. Occasionally these larger batches were interspersed by singletons. One such car was M30633, a Minor Tourer which passed along the Cowley line in November 1930. These individual cars may have represented small orders from overseas agents as this car has been found in Indonesia, an unlikely spot for such a discovery and all the more welcome for that.
Pre-war Minors continue to be unearthed at an amazing rate. In the month of July three cars previously unknown to the Network surfaced in internet advertisements while other ‘known’ projects are being offered for sale by their current owners. If you are looking for something to keep you productively occupied for a few hundred hours then visit this website’s forum and familiarise yourself with what’s available.
After six weeks of glorious sunshine and soaring temperatures the UK heatwave is set to end this weekend. Hopefully, this won’t curtail the upturn in Minor motoring activity evident throughout this period. Seen here, against a Dorset backdrop, is Dan Brockway’s 1933 Two-seater (APC 484) making the most of the prevailing conditions.
The annual Pre-war Prescott event was held over the weekend on a warm and largely sunny day. Minors, Midgets and Hornets were well represented and this photo of the occupants of Anthony Richards’s 1932 MG M Type OY 2718 summed-up the atmosphere perfectly. More images from this event can be found here.
Mike Summers first acquired 1932 Minor Two-seater OJ 1865 in the late sixties and sold it some ten years later. After a gap of over thirty years and a brief search, the car was traced in Scotland where it had spent the intervening period. Mike struck a deal with the owner and ‘OJ’ headed south returning to his custodianship. Since then the car has been undergoing restoration, the most recent element being a complete retrim at the hands of Burwell, Cambs specialist, Ian Hawkes and what an excellent job he has made of it.
Peter Brock’s 1934 Minor Four-door Saloon AAO 463 had been off the road for many months while its engine underwent repair. Thankfully, these repairs have now been completed and Peter can once again enjoy the freedom of the open road in and around his native North East. Here the car is posed in front of The Spanish City in Whitley Bay, immortalised in the Dire Straits track The Tunnel of Love. (Photo montage P. Brock)
For those looking to fill empty garages with a Minor ‘project’ there are plenty currently available. This 1933 ex Minor Saloon comes with two bodies, that of a two-seater and a later model saloon. Located in Scunthorpe, the item is listed on eBay while further details are available via the ‘Cars for Sale’ section of this website’s forum.
Roger Lucke’s 1933 Minor Two-seater 289 UXG is seen here undergoing its annual MOT test, a procedure that has not been a legal requirement for pre-war cars in the U.K. for a number of years. However, Roger and a growing band of other vintage vehicle owners are submitting their cars to the rigours of this test, while paying for the privilege, and are happy to do so for safety’s sake and their own peace of mind.
It seems that the good weather here in the U.K. (& beyond) has tempted some owners to take to the highways for some wind in hair motoring, except that in many instances there is more wind than hair! U.K. weather is set fair for at least a week so there is no better time to remove the dust covers and enjoy the sunshine by taking a trip in your Minor, Midget or Hornet. Thanks to Chris Healey, Andy Brown, Janie Maeers/Geof Wilson and Joe Raynor for the photos.
Taking advantage of the superb weather, Garry and Marilyn Waiting took to the roads of the Lake District National Park, Cumbria in order to scale Shap Fell, some 1800 feet above sea level. Garry reported that his 1930 Minor Semi-Sports replica (FD 6409) climbed the narrow pass by making good use of the third ratio in his four-speed gearbox. What a view!
The first section of the 2018 Rally Saturday tour route followed the meanderings of the River Waveney. Here, Keith Durston’s all red 1930 MG Midget heads-up a trio of entrants including a 1932 Minor Sports Coupe, driven by Andrew Miles and a 1929 MG Midget replica piloted by owner Steve Lewsley, around a twisty part of that scenic stretch.
At the rally dinner recently Halbe Tjepkema accepted the LAT Plate on behalf of the 2017 POTY competition winners, Arie and Tineke Roest. Earlier today (Sunday 24th June), Halbe called on the Roests in his 1929 Minor Fabric Saloon to hand over the award in person. Here Arie is seen accepting the plate alongside Halbe’s Minor and his own 1930 Jarvis Hornet Special , the subject of the award winning photograph.
St. Peter’s Hall, Suffolk the home of the world famous St. Peter’s Brewery played host to 22 Minors, 3 MG M Types, a Morris Eight, a Wolseley Hornet and an Austin Heavy Twelve last Saturday (9th). The brewery shop and tea rooms were opened early and exclusively to enable rallyists to make use of the facilities and purchase their wares!
There are more photos on the newly launched 2018 Rally Galleries page.
The annual gathering of the clan began early on Friday evening with a get-together at the Swan Inn, Hoxne. There were some epic journeys undertaken to get there including a 200 + mile jaunt from Lymington in Hants by Toby & Linda Sears, with Ken & Kate Martin’s 190 mile trip from Marlborough not too far behind. Halbe Tjepkema from the Hague had a shorter road trip, the ferry trip from The Hook to Harwich making up most of the journey!
The countdown to the Network’s 2018 rally is underway. While many owners will be engaged in last-minute fettling before ‘the off’, there are at least three owners who are in a serious race against time in order to finish major repairs or rebuilds before Friday’s Hoxne Swan pub meet. (The photo was taken at the last rally to be held in Suffolk in 2014.)
Eric Mouser’s 1930 Minor Coachbuilt Saloon DX 8826 was photographed while taking part in the ‘Felixstowe Run’ earlier this month. His car is fitted with Trafficators, a precursor to the flashing indicator. These semaphore signals are intended to indicate in which direction the driver is intending to turn, however, the mechanical mechanism involved does not always function as it should…
Quote: “Strictly speaking, the new car ceased to be a secret about three weeks ago.”
Quote: “It is ridiculous to say that my intention in making the car was to compete with the Austin Seven.”
Both of these very interesting quotes were reported in the 23rd May 1928 edition of The Motor Trader and were directly attributed to William Morris, although only one of those statements is believable! On the basis of that Motor Trader report it’s fair to say that the Morris Minor can now officially be declared 90! The photo is from the Jennifer Parson’s collection and shows her father, Harold Taylor alongside William Morris with Minor Fabric Saloon prototype UD 2071 at that very first, late April-early May 1928 photo-shoot.
John & Jo Nagle have been forced to withdraw from the forthcoming Pacesetters Rally with a recurring blown head gasket issue on their 1934 Minor Two-seater (OW 4224). The latest occurence took place while car and crew were participating in a Morris Register sponsored trip to Torquay, Devon. (Photo: Kate Martin)
This photo of a Minor speedometer was taken by Kate Martin on a recent drive from Marlborough to Torquay with husband Ken at the wheel of their 1930 Minor Coachbuilt Saloon VX 4590. The car was travelling at the legal limit on an open stretch of arterial road and viewing the speedo needle against its stop is an unfamiliar sight for the vast majority of Minor owners
Most of the United Kingdom was basking in wall-to-wall sunshine over the bank holiday weekend. The New Forest in Hampshire was no exception and Toby Sears saw this as an opportunity to take a pre-rally run-out in his 1932 Minor Two-seater PJ 5155. The New Forest is one of the UK’s National Parks which despite its name, has large tracts of open heathland with hardly a tree in sight!
Ten years ago this week saw the stuttering birth of a new website targeted at enthusiasts of the pre-war Morris Minor. The PWMN came into being because a small group of Minor enthusiasts sought to provide a relevant internet platform for a growing and active community of new Minor owners who were prepared to forego some of the encumbrances associated with a traditional car club. Within weeks the new site’s visitor counter was recording 30 to 40 ‘hits’ a day and in the autumn of 2008 a new discussion forum was added. That forum now contains 59,000 posts while the site’s web counter has recorded 767,000 hits. A heartfelt thanks to all who have supported the Network along the way. (Chris Lambert)
Ken Martin took this shot of those taking part in a Morris Register organised mid-Wiltshire run from Devizes to Box on Drive-it-Day (Sunday 22nd April). Alongside Ken’s familiar 1930 Coachbuilt Saloon VX 4590 is another Essex registered Minor VX 7312, a 1932 Two-seater owned by Henry & Di Harvey. There were plenty of other Morris cars taking part along with an MG and an interloping motor cycle! (View more Drive-it-Day images at the foot of this page.)
Barry Parker from Tasmania, found this 1934 Morris Minor Saloon in an Australian scrapyard and is slowly progressing its restoration. He urgently needs help sourcing the dimensions of the body frame timbers and if you can help please email the webmaster here.
On Sunday 13th July 2008 eleven Minors, a Singer Nine and an Aston Martin Le Mans set out for a run to the coast during the course of that year’s VMR Rally. Their destination was Southwold, Suffolk’s favourite seaside resort where five Minors can be seen parked behind the town’s famous beach huts. A similar run is due to take place this June at the forthcoming PWMN rally, although the destination (for now) remains under wraps.
After 56 years in the ownership of the same family this 1929 Minor Tourer (MT 3286) is reluctantly being put on the market. The car was purchased by the late Roy Hogg in 1962 and has been used in recent years by Ronald, Roy’s son. The asking price is £11,500 and further details can be found on the Cars for sale sub-forum here.
Janie Maeers and Geof Wilson organised a Good Friday ‘run’ through the Leicestershire countryside for friends and family along with their vintage and classic cars. One of the stops on their Dot-to-Dot Tour was the farm shop at the Leicestershire Handmade Cheese Co. in Upton, where a range of craft cheeses were available to taste and purchase. Some of the many interesting cars driven by participants can be seen through the farm shop windows. (Photo Wilson/Maeers)
Clive Hamilton-Gould grips the passenger door of his 1930 Minor Tourer (DG 325) while being driven by his daughter at the start of a sharp descent during the course of the recent VSCC LC&ES Welsh Weekend event. Thanks goes to both Steven Kent and Mike Tebbett who have each provided further photos many of which have been added to the foot of the 2018 Event Galleries page here. This photo courtesy of Mike Tebbett.
Mid-Wales played host to the cars from the Light Car & Edwardian Section of the VSCC over the weekend of 24th/25th March. Stretching their legs during the course of Saturday’s tour Janie Maeers and Geof Wilson can be seen alongside VJ 1756, Janie’s 1929 Minor Tourer. View a short video shot during the course of Saturday here and see more stills at the foot of this page here.
Janie Maeers, seen here in ‘Prudence’ her 1929 Minor Tourer VJ 1756 is about to leave the Metropole Hotel car park in Llandrindod Wells to take part on the second day of the LC&ES Welsh Weekend on Sunday 25th March. Janie was perpetuating a family tradition in that thirteen years earlier her late father, Brian Maeers competed at this same event , also in VJ 1756. (Photo: Geof Wilson)
The name of the venue for the most recent gathering of the Home Counties section seemed entirely innapropriate as the ten jovial attendees at The Grumpy Mole, Brockham, Surrey were displaying no such signs when this photo was taken on 19th March. From left to right: Keith Durston, Philip Butland, Kenneth Allen, Paul Brigden, John Emmett, Alister Reid, Malcolm Eades, Malcolm Bailey, Michael (surname unknown), Phil Sowry, Timothy Edwards Photo:Keith Durston.
For those in the worst affected areas, the wintery weather conditions across the UK throughout most of March will live long in the memory. The lying snow didn’t stop one or two intrepid Minorists taking to the highways as proven by this latest photo taken by Toby Sears, who drove his 1933 Minor Saloon YG 2017 to the hills skirting the Hampshire – Wiltshire borders to capture this shot.
The VSCC’s Herefordshire Trial was hit by the weather over the weekend of 17th/18th March, however it didn’t spoil the fun for David Rolfe in his Riley Nine engined M Type special (VU 7908). David and ‘bouncer’ are seen here negotiating a particularly tough elevated section. (Photo courtesy of Steven Kent)
Some smart detective work by member Toby Sears ensured that David Newlands (Cambs) would achieve his wish to know the whereabouts of his father’s Morris Minor, a car purchased ‘new’ in 1931. The current owners of the vehicle are Jill and Vaughan Jackson, (Hants) UR 9776 having been in their family’s custodianship for over fifty years. Contact between the two interested parties will be made shortly.
The son of the very first owner of this 1931 SV Minor Coachbuilt Saloon (UR 9776) is attempting to track down the current custodian in order to pass on some important historical data. If you can help please email info@prewarminor.com
While Sunday 4th March saw most of the snow in the south of the U.K. disappear following a rapid thaw, plenty of the white stuff remained earlier in the day. Here Janie Maeers and her Lurcher, Maisie, took to the lanes of Leicestershire in ‘Prudence’ her 1929 Minor Tourer (VJ 1756) to discover for herself the joys of Minor motoring in the snow. (Photo: Geof Wilson)
Malcolm Buc submitted this eighties image (taken on the Isle of Man) of what originally was an OHC Minor. ‘Jemima’ was owned at that time by Geraint Owen who built the competition special, it’s believed with the help of his father. Geraint is a long-term VSCC member and competitor. Unfortunately, by the time this photo was taken the Minor had already ‘lost’ its original registration and had been re-issued with an age-related number by DVLA. The special was powered by an air-cooled ‘V’ twin JAP engine and was dressed for competition with taped headlights, timing strut and a competition number. (Thanks goes to James Ashford for providing the revised information.)
Most of the UK is currently feeling the effects of an icy blast from the Urals. The editorial Midget was readied for a photo session in brilliant sunshine but the onset of a sudden heavy snow shower was enough for driver and car to seek the comparative warmth of the garage – at least until the snow had abated.
This representation of a 1934 season Minor Saloon was found on an American fine art website, and is currently for sale at £1891. The image, painted in acrylics, is by Dutch artist Paul Meijering
Almost every edition of the popular motoring magazines of the pre-war period contained illustrations by graphic artists. While many drawings have been lost, some still remain intact in archives, while others were photographed, their images captured on glass plates. The majority of these drawings are unsigned but the names of Ferguson, Millar and Pratt feature on many others. Isn’t it about time that their skills were more widely recognised? This unsigned drawing of a lwb Minor, scanned from a positive print, appears here courtesy of LAT Images.
Russ Salisbury from Texas, USA owns a 1930 Midget (MG 442) with a Brooklands racing pedigree. His car has been ‘off the road’ for well over forty years but has been subject to recent attention and is seen here on it’s second ‘debut’, its first being 88 years previously!
Hopefully, we in the northern-hemisphere are approaching the tail-end of what seems to have been a long winter. Thoughts are now turning to the pleasant prospect of lengthy warm days with productive time spent in the garage, while trips in our Minors will be undertaken without the need for the protective comfort of thermal underwear!
The 2017 Pre-war Prescott event was the venue for the coming together of two Coupes that surely originated via the draughting skills of the same designer. GG 3949 is the well known 1931 MG Sportsmans Coupe owned by Roger Burnett while 1932 Wolseley Hornet Coupe JH 1446 is said to have been commissioned by London Wolseley main dealer Eustace Watkins and built in the coachworks of the Folkstone based body builder, Martin Walter. Thanks goes to Hornet Coupe owner Nigel Stroud for the photograph via the good offices of Network member Keith Durston.
In the absence of Kenneth Allen, Paul Brigden organised a highly successful Network gathering at Brooklands on 8th February. Paul reports that thanks to Bob Webb those with pre-war cars were permitted to park in front of the famous clubhouse while the club bar facilities were also made available to them. Here, some of the throng wait patiently while John Emmett answers a question from a Brooklands Museum visitor. Paul’s report can be found on the forum. (Photo – Paul Brigden)
LV 5437 is a 1934 season Minor Saloon which was first registered in Liverpool in late 1933. This delightful autumnal image was taken by an unknown photographer and was discovered on the internet. In recent times ‘LV’ was owned by Tommy Jardine from the border country and some time prior to that by new member Guy Harris – it was he who was recently reunited with his Minor Two-seater after a a fifty year gap. (see IOTW no.414)
The Jaipur Classic Car Rally took place over the weekend of 3rd-4th February. Network member Kartik Lunia attended along with his 1930 Minor Tourer USJ 1795 the car gaining the accolade ‘Best maintained vintage car’, yet another award to add to a lengthening list. Seen here with Kartik is another sub-continental Minorist and Network member, Parth Mehd, who joined Kartik for the weekend having made the twelve-hour drive from Ahmedabad.
Following the long awaited return to roadworthiness of 1929 Minor Fabric VG 2007, when will 1930 Fabric Saloon UX 6403 appear in a similar condition? The car was discovered and purchased last May by Gareth Jerman, and its condition at that time can be seen in these images – so it’s re-appearance is not going to be anytime soon. Gareth however can count on the support and help from member’s of the Network throughout the forthcoming restoration journey.
While one Minor departs these shores bound for Malta, following its sale to Joseph Zerafa, another is being prepared for its rally debut following restoration. The Tony Gamble restored Semi-Sports, KJ 607, is seen here being loaded upon a transporter to begin a long road and sea journey to its new Mediterranean home. Meanwhile in the Nederlands, Fabric Saloon VG 2007 owned by Halbe Tjepkema is nearing the end of a ten year restoration journey and can be seen undergoing final preparations at the MG Workshop, Monster, in readiness for its hoped-for PWMN rally debut in June.
The VSCC’s New Year Driving Tests are held each January at the Brooklands Museum, Weybridge in Surrey. The site has undergone significant change since the 2017 meeting following the reinstatement of part of the former circuit’s ‘start and finish’ straight. Clive Hamilton-Gould is seen here negotiating test 3 in his 1930 Morris Minor Tourer DG 325. Find further images from the event here.
Minor Family Eight CG 5446 is a late 1933 (34 season) Hampshire registered car that was unearthed by Network member Toby Sears last year. It is now for sale on ebay and has already attracted a maiden bid. While requiring much work to restore to a roadworthy condition this almost complete car will make for a very gratifying project to the individual ‘up’ for the task!
Joseph Zerafa, who lives on the island of Malta has purchased Minor Semi-Sports KJ 607 from Tony Gamble. The car was completely rebuilt by Tony after he had purchased the remains of the vehicle from the late Roy Hogg many years ago. It’s hoped that the new owner might be persuaded to attend the Network’s rally this coming June.
Last June this 1931 Eustace Watkins Wolseley Hornet Special (GP 7373) was sold via an internet auction site. The photograph of the Hornet seen here was taken in its 50+ plus year resting place which looks to be a farm outbuilding. Few early CF3 versions of the Hornet survive and this one looks remarkably complete. If the new owner reads this please contact info@prewarminor.com
A journey that began 10 years ago this month is now nearing completion. Halbe Tjepkema rescued this 1929 Minor Fabric Saloon from a Bungay barn in January 2008 four years after the cars initial discovery. VG 2007 could pass very close to its old Bungay home if the car is successfully completed in time to take part in the Network’s 2018 Pacesetters Rally which is to be based at Thorpe Abbotts, just 13 miles from Bungay.
Using an open car at this time of year takes determination, forethought and many layers of clothing in order to brave the vagaries of the British winter. Not so the Minor Saloon owner. Warm the engine, climb aboard and within a matter of minutes, the cabin is as warm as toast. Note the evidence of this cosseting fug on the windows of Martin Gregory’s 1931 Minor Coachbuilt Saloon (UF 7090) parked-up during the course of a recent winter’s excursion to Stony Stratford, Bucks.
There can’t be many, more dramatic images of a Wolseley Hornet than this one taken by Tineke Roest on 5th January. The Roest’s Jarvis Special (AM-62-91) is pictured high in the Austrian Alps, stationary on a snow-covered pass while car and crew compete in the Planai-Classic Rally.
Back in September 2010, the crews of the three Minors seen here visited The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at East Kirby to view Avro Lancaster B MKVII NX 611 ‘, Just Jane’. The hangar doors were rolled open to permit a series of photographs to be taken of which this is just one. Currently, ‘Just Jane’ is undergoing re-commissioning work which eventually will lead to this mighty aircraft taking to the skies once again. Somewhat ironically, ‘Just Jane’ was originally constructed by Austin Motors at Longbridge, Birmingham.
The winner of the 2017 Photograph of the Year competition is this fabulous shot entered by Arie Roest from the Netherlands entitled ‘Mont Blanc view’. The car in question is a 1930 Jarvis Hornet special. Congratulations Arie and a big thank you to all who have taken part. A list of those entries included on the Network’s 2018 calendar can be found on the website’s forum here.
Calendars can be ordered at £11.50 (13 Euro) each by emailing your requirement to info@prewarminor.com
The passage of time can be unkind, so at 76 years of age some allowances can be made for the odd accident on the driveway. The same excuses however can’t be made for 1933 Minor Saloon YG 2017‘s owner Toby Sears, seen here looking extremely youthful in 2009 and holding a Vintage Minor Register award, although almost ten years later he now can’t recollect why it was given to him?
Network rallies are not competitive in any way and are all about having fun with friends while also providing an opportunity for meeting fellow enthusiasts. Early June is (usually!) a great month for exercising almost 90-year-old machinery on roads that ideally suit our cars. To find out more visit our 2018 rally page here.
Arie Roest from the Netherlands is preparing his 1930 Wolseley Hornet Jarvis Special for the three-day Planai Classic Rally in January 2018. The car’s cockpit boasts some interesting items of equipment including a Tripmaster and an old alarm clock. (Note the similarity between this dashboard layout and that of the contemporary Morris Minor – excluding the recent add-on’s.)
The news of the 31-34 S.V. Minor’s inclusion on the VSCC’s PVT list may have come too late for an example to take part at last weekend’s Winter Driving Test event at the Bicester Heritage Centre, but surely early enough for a member to enter with a SV car for the forthcoming Brooklands event on 28th January? Who is going to write this small piece of motoring history?
This 1931 Minor Two-seater BR 8606 has been a familiar sight at VSCC sporting events for many decades, this courtesy of an OHC Minor engine under the bonnet where an original SV unit should nestle. Thanks to a recent ruling by the VSCC other 1931-1934 SV Minors will now be able to compete alongside Sue Woodward and her £100’er.
After many years of lobbying, the Vintage Sports Car Club (VSCC) has finally agreed to add the 1931-1934 Side Valve Morris Minor to its list of Post Vintage Thoroughbred (PVT) cars. This means that the S.V. Minor can now compete in VSCC events alongside its thirties adversary, the Austin Seven. There are further important ramifications for the model to be considered by owners which will no doubt be discussed on this website’s forum.
It is possible to get lost on a rally. The majority of rallyists have done so at one time or another. In the resulting confusion drivers tend to blame navigators and vice versa, all of which invariably leads to a heightening of blood pressures and sharp words. A map isn’t a cure-all but it will get you home. Ordnance Survey can now provide Custom-made maps, tailored to cover precisely the area you need.
Arie Roest makes good use of his 1930 Jarvis Hornet special, taking part in a number of long distance ‘classic’ rallies while also using his car for his summer holiday transport. This photo of Arie and canine passenger was taken on the Col du Galibier in the French Alps at a height of 9324 feet earlier this year. Arie and his wife along with their Hornet are entered for the Planai Classic Rally in Austria on January 18th of which more here.
The former 1929 Minor Fabric Saloon MM 9326, which later in life adopted a Tourer body, has now acquired a polystyrene tub which is due to act as a template for a new aluminium sporting body to be constructed by current owner, Geof Wilson. The coffee cup to be seen on the bonnet is not part of the intended design which shares some characteristics with the White Minor Skinner Special and is all the better for that.
Mike Summers from Walsham-le-Willows, Suffolk first bought 1932 Minor Two-seater OJ 1865 back in the mid-sixties, keeping the car for fifteen years. He then sold it at the end of the seventies and forgot about it until 2012. After deciding that he wanted a back-up to his 1931 SV Minor Saloon he tracked down OJ 1865 in Scotland and managed to persuade the owner to sell it to him. The car has been subject to a long-term re-commissioning program in preparation for a debut (hopefully) at the 2018 PWMN Rally at Thorpe Abbotts. It’s seen here just prior to delivery to a local paint shop where it’s due to receive several coats of fresh paint.
The world’s largest airship has suffered a further mishap while moored at its Cardington, Bedfordshire base. Trevor Wilkinson spotted the crumpled gas bag while out for a ‘run’ in his 1934 Minor Two-seater. The craft, colloquially know as ‘The flying bum’ was involved in two earlier incidents in 2013 and 2016.
Here is a tantalising glimpse of 1932 Minor Tourer SV 14881. The car is located ‘…somewhere on the island of Sri-Lanka‘, the jewel that nestles in the Indian Ocean just below the tip of the sub-continent. Parked alongside the Minor is a 125 cc BSA Bantam carrying a 1940’s Gateshead registration. Intriguingly, nothing more is known about either vehicle.
There remain a limited number of available spaces on the Network’s 2018 Rally which is being held in the north-eastern corner of Suffolk next June. To find out more visit the rally page here. (Photo: Maeers/Wilson)
Kevin Walsh is an accomplished transport artist and illustrator, his work appearing on Christmas cards, jigsaw puzzles and metal signs. Among his hundreds of transport themed scenes the Minor features at least once as can be seen in this thirties tableau of the Flying Scotsman and a hybrid GPO van. A further two of his paintings feature MG ‘M’ Type Midgets. Thanks to John and Jo Nagle for spotting this.
This most recent image of Tony Gamble’s 1930 Minor Arrow ‘special’ looks, on-the-face of-it, as if this project has gone into reverse. A previous update showed the car with its Garry Waiting built Arrow body in place. However, that temporary fitting was simply a test to establish clearances etc. Since then genuine progress has been made with the sourcing of a bronze SU carburetter and the fabrication of a one-gallon sump. Therefore, the engine is now very close to running once again after an interval of four years.
With winter just around the corner, this Arthur Bell shot of his 1933 Minor Saloon JJ 9069 provides a reminder of the summer recently past by perfectly capturing an August dawn. The composition skill of the photographer and his use of the early morning light combine to produce a surreal impressionist painting effect.
A total of eighteen cars, 14 x Minors, 2 x Hornet Specials and 2 x M Type Midgets along with their crews have so far entered for the 2018 PWMN rally next June (8th-10th). Ensure a place by entering today. Download an entry form here. Photo: Kate Martin
The Swan Inn, Hoxne will host both the Friday and Sunday evening pub-meets at the Network’s rally, next June. The recently renovated 15th century coaching inn has a 40 seat restaurant and a large car park. The Network last visited The Swan in 2010 where three Austin Sevens, two Minors and an Aston Martin ‘Le Mans’ can be seen in this photo taken at the time.
The entry list for the Network’s 2018 ‘Pacesetters’ rally is now open. Find the new rally webpage along with an entry form here. (Ken Martin photo)
It’s time to begin thinking about your entry for the 2017 PWMN Photograph of the year competition. Start combing your computer’s photo folders for an image of your car that catches the eye or just take to the road and find a suitable backdrop to show off your car’s best features! Competition entries will be accepted from 1st December onward. This memorable photo was taken by Ken Martin on the 2013 ‘White Horse’ Rally and features the 1933 Minor Two-seater OJ 4733, currently owned by David Hockley in Cambs.
Pictured here entering the car park of The Noel Inn, Whitwell are Charles Crisp and Rachel Miles in the Crisp owned 1934 Minor Two-seater (AXV 51). The photo was taken during the the course of the Network’s 2017 Rally in Rutland. The clubs 2018 rally will be based on the Norfolk/Suffolk border and will take place over the weekend of 8th-10th June. A rally entry form will be published shortly.
Located in the Sydney suburb of Cronulla this 1934 lwb Minor Tourer is a rare survivor of its type. Imported by York Motors in Sydney in 1934 and bodied by Holden this is only the second of its kind recorded by this website. The car was originally painted blue and was owned by a proprietor of an ESSO service station in Sydney for 32 years from 1936 until 1968. More about this car here.
While the Austin Motor Company developed their Seven for racing and other competitive work, William Morris refrained from sporting sponsorship of Morris cars, leaving that to a business he personally owned, The MG Car Company. However, there were Morris products that were used in competition, the Minor in particular winning many awards when entered by their owners. In this image Alistair Bond rounds ‘Pardon’ in his 1930 Minor Semi-Sports (IA 9142) at the Bugatti Owner’s Club Prescott hill-climb venue, the photo redolent of that period when privateer Minor owners tested their cars and themselves in competition.
An extremely rare 1934 lwb Holden bodied Minor Coupe is currently for sale in Australia. One of just two known survivors, this historic car will reward its restorer with its handsome period looks. Further detail can be found on the website’s Discussion Forum here.
This photo was taken on 1st June 2013 at the Ulster Riley Club’s Cultra Hillclimb event. The Robert Andrews owned SV 1933 Minor Special is being piloted by noted motoring artist Debra Wenlock. Examples of her work can be found on her website here.
It’s easy to forget that access remains available to the old website and all that it contains, including many of the front page stories dating back to 2008. The site operates on an Adobe Flash platform and requires users to download Flash Player to view the website properly. The site continues to accept new members despite its archive status. Find it here or through the link further down this page.
Dan Brockway from Marnhull, Dorset is selling his 1932 Minor Saloon (MV 6146). It’s pictured here parked alongside a 1935 Gilbert-Scott K6 telephone kiosk, a design icon from the period. Further details on Dan’s car can be found on our Discussion Forum here.
Thanks to the British Film Institute archive, moving images of Morris Minor production at Cowley from 1929 can still be viewed. A 21 minute silent film shows many of the steps in the production process and features the 1929 season Minor Fabric Saloon model. This still image from the film shows a body in the process of being covered in wadding followed by the car’s fabric outer skin. The complete film can be viewed here.
After an absence of eight years the PWMN Rally is set to return to its first ever venue – The 100th Bomb Group Museum at Thorpe Abbotts, South Norfolk. The museum’s management team and the landowner have kindly agreed to our request to use the venue as our rally HQ over the weekend of 8th-10th June 2018. Further details will be published here in October. (This photo was taken from the roof of the watch/control tower over a July weekend in 2008)
RT 8431 a 1932 Minor Sports Coupe has been in the custodianship of the Miles family of Mendlesham, Suffolk for almost three decades, having been restored by Andrew Miles seven years ago. The car was recently the star of a photoshoot for Timeline Events, one such image being seen above. (Image copyright: Timeline Events)
This website’s forum has a new unfamiliar format. However, once access has been gained (go to trhc of forum homepage and click ‘Log-in’) all the usual sub-forums are available on the index page. Follow this link and dip your toes in …
If you are in the market for a pre-war Morris Minor there are currently plenty available to buy. This montage represents just a small selection, with many more detailed on our forum.
Toby Sears has unearthed this 1933 lwb Minor Family Eight CG 5446 discovered in a metal ‘lean-to’ in Lymington, Hants. Although in need of complete restoration the car is largely complete and is being offered for sale at £700. Full details can be found on this website’s forum.
Just a few days ago this website was bemoaning the potential loss of another Minor to obscurity following the sale at auction of AGP 288 last March. Fortunately the car’s whereabouts is now known thanks to Brittany resident and Minor special owner Philippe Prigent who confirms that the 1932 Two-seater is now in the hands of his friend, Roger Appere, who also lives locally to him. Roger has now joined this website’s forum, where hopefully the cars progress back to eventual road worthiness can now be followed.
Surviving Minor Tourers are few in number and are usually snapped up by prospective buyers whenever they (infrequently) appear for sale, which makes the simultaneous availability of two such cars a very unusual and opportune occurence for those in the market for a Minor Tourer model. To find out more about the two cars shown above, visit this website’s forum here.
Arthur Bell from Wymondham, Norfolk had a Belleville washer that was required by fellow Minor enthusiast Peter Brock, a resident of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. In order to save on postage Arthur decided to deliver the item in person and drove to Newcastle in his 1933 Minor Saloon JJ 9059. Not content with that, he then drove on to the Scottish border for a photo opportunity, prior to returning to Wymondham, thirty hours after his departure, while covering 600 miles in the process. (Photos Peter Brock & Arthur Bell)
This great photo of Arie Roest’s 1930 Jarvis Hornet special (AM-62-91) is a precursor to the launch of a new page celebrating the amazing variety of Hornet specials that were built from the summer of 1930 to the end of the 12 HP engine era. The page contains over 100 Hornet special images, many of them recently unearthed from a photographic archive.
Old Warden airfield in Bedfordshire was the venue for the DeHavilland Moth Club’s ‘Gathering of Moths’ on Sunday 30th July. Four Minors attended, those of messrs Wilkinson, Ovenden, Harris and Gregory, the bonnet of the latter’s car being visible in this photo, with a DH87b Hornet Moth G-AELO in the background. (Image Martin Gregory)
In 2008 this 1931 Minor Saloon (VG 3260) was rescued by a former Network member. Today the car is being offered for sale on the Car and Classic website as a CMS Minor Special replica. Further detials can be found on the website’s Discussion Forum. (To view either image in its entirety just drag the ‘pointers’.)
In the early nineties Colin Lambert found and re-built, over a four-year period, one of only five known surviving Double Twelve 8/45 MG Midgets. Over the next ten years he competed extensively in GG 3340 until he hung up his driving gloves and sold the car to Henri de Jong in the Netherlands. Pre-war Prescott was the venue for a happy and unexpected reunion with the car, seen here being driven by Cathelijne Spoelstra, with the surprised ex-owner standing alongside.
Mike Taylor from Cambridge has owned his 1927 Austin Twelve for many years and has attended all but one of the Network’s rallies. His car is such a familiar sight at our gatherings that it has been bestowed with ‘Honorary Minor’ status, a huge accolade for a Longbridge product. Mike and his car will always be welcome whenever pre-war Minors gather. (The Nevill Inn car park 24th June – image Chris Lambert)
Network member Toby Sears is selling his 1932 (’33 season) Minor Saloon YG 2017. The car has been known to the club for nine years and has attended many rallies and pub meets. Full ebay details can be found here.
Thanks to the efforts of Tony Gamble this original Kent registered 1930 Minor Semi-Sports (KJ 607) has now joined the small band of road going OHC Two-seaters. Tony writes: I would like you to dedicate this image to the memory of the late Roy Hogg who initiated the project way back in the mists of time, ” I hope you like it Roy. Sorry it has taken so long !” Tony goes on to add: Many thanks to lots of people who have helped along the way , especially Garry Waiting.
A series of images taken by Arthur Bell have been added to the Ralley Gallery page, including this one of three tin-tops.
Rally host (or should that be hostess?) Janie Maeers acknowledges the photographer while driver Geof Wilson uses the rear view mirror of 1929 Minor Tourer VJ 1756 (Prudence) to keep an eye on procedings. This photograph was taken on the Saturday leg of last weekend’s PWMN Rutland Rally by Kate Martin.
A gallery containing images contributed by various rally attendees is now available to view here. This shot was taken on Saturday morning, prior to the start of the long tour and shows the 1929 Minor Tourer owned by John Paternoster tangling with Trevor Wilkinson’s 1934 Minor Two-seater on the B664 outside The Nevill Arms at Medbourne. (Image Chris Lambert)
A “youthful” Trevor Wilkinson (All things are relative!) proffers a few words of advice to those with their heads buried under the bonnet of Colin Lee’s 1930 Minor Coachbuilt Saloon. Their muttered responses are not recorded. This scene was captured in a pub car park at the 2008 VMR Rally which was based at the 100th Bomb Group Museum Thorpe Abbotts in Norfolk.
The Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum in the New Forest was the venue for the third PWMN Rally in 2012. This Kate Martin image was taken on the morning of Sunday 17th June just prior to the start of the ‘short’ tour and shows a section of the line-up of Minors in a reserved part of the museum’s car park.
Although our annual Photograph of the Year competition doesn’t take place until December there is no better time than now to take some eligible images. With long summer days and good light, your Minor as subject matter and a digital camera, all the necessary ingredients for some excellent shots are in place. Get shooting! (Image Arthur Bell)
The Network’s Home Counties pub meet has been an all-male preserve to date, although that is no longer the case as evidenced by this hurriedly taken image snapped at the Eight Bells in Bolney on 5th June. It transpires that the pub temporarily lost a member of its bar staff thanks to the lure of John Emmett’s 1933 J1 Midget which resulted in a stand-off. “A spin around the village or no beer?” It was of course difficult to say no, while Kenneth Allen looks on disapprovingly! (Photo Malcolm Eades)
Tim & Avril Ovenden are rally regulars, transporting their 1932 season Minor Two-seater KJ 3553 to the respective rally HQ’s in a horse box! Captured here through the lens of Kate Martin’s Nikon, they can be seen about to descend one of Dorsets notoriously steep hills while on the Saturday morning leg of the 2016 Jurassic Rally. Note the celebrity pose from the canine passenger.
…the process of adapting to the ways of the MG Midget. With the Rutland Rally just three weeks distant the editorial 1930 Midget GH 6758 was put through its paces by Spencer Lambert, its driver for that weekend. This photo was taken on the former 388th Bomb Group airfield at Knettishall Heath, where the MG’s freshly adjusted brakes were thoroughly tested.
The first Network rally was held in June 2010 based around the former USAAF 100th Bomb Group base at Thorpe Abbotts, Norfolk. The weekend kicked-off with a pub meet at The Swan in Hoxne but the twilight journey back to base was not without incident. Here the Roger Lucke owned CMS Minor Super Sport special is seen parked up and awaiting rescue on an unlit roadside, a broken rear spring being the cause. Clive Hall in his hi-viz vest directed traffic.
The Network’s 2017 rally is now less than a month away with the prospect of a full weekend’s worth of vintage motoring to anticipate. Twenty three cars and their crews are taking part and just two entries remain available. Entries close on 16th June, so don’t miss out on the fun and download an entry form here.
Geoff Lane from Halstead in Essex has recently purchased GU 1342, the ex David Roscoe, Semi-Sports replica. The car originally left Cowley at the end of March 1929 as a Tourer but was rebuilt as a Semi-Sports model by Dorset restorer David Cooksey in the early part of the last decade. (Photo Geoff Lane)
Trevor Wilkinson along with his 1934 Minor Two-seater (UN 6979) visited Cardington airfield recently and witnessed, in flight, Airlander 10 the U.K.’s largest aircraft. It has been calculated that 432 Minors could fit into the interior ‘envelope’ of this enormous craft. (N.B. That calculation was carried out on the reverse of the same envelope.)
This long wheel base 1932 OHC Cunard Calshot Minor Special MU 5674 is now ‘available to view’ at Mike Rolls MG Car Sales emporium in Gillingham, Dorset. Just three such cars are known to survive and one of these is subject to a long-term restoration. Therefore this car’s availability represents a rare opportunity for someone to purchase an important piece of Minor history. More images and further details are available on this website’s forum. www.prewarminorforum.com
Neil Elder’s Minor special features regularly on this page. Neil lives in the Christchurch area of New Zealand and is seen here recently competing (rather enthusiastically) in the Hadstock Driving Tests event. Local PWMN member John McDonald reports that although greatly outnumbered by Austin Sevens the Minor performed magnificently. The event results are yet to be published.
The West Region of the Morris Register have been holding their annual motoring break, this year in and around the city of Hereford. Four Minors took part including those owned by Toby Sears and Ken Martin, both of whom are seen here just prior to departing on their separate journies homeward. (Photo Kate Martin)
Clive & Bren Hall have owned 1931 Minor Saloon NG 850 for almost half a century, during which time a chicken shed collapsed on the car during a storm resulting in the car’s bodywork being completely wrecked. Since then the car has been stripped to its bare chassis frame pending a rebuild, which after a false start or two has now commenced, the chassis ‘rolling’ for the first time in 45 years just prior to this photo being taken.
Four Minors and their crews have been taking part in a Morris Register (West Region) tour of Wales and the borders. The Minors are examples owned by messrs. Martin, Nelson, Nagle & Sears and the Ken Martin owned 1930 Coachbuilt Saloon VX 4590 is seen here at the Hereford Water Works leading a procession of pre-war Morris cars. (Photo Kate Martin)
The airship located in the background of this Trevor Wilkinson shot is the Airlander 10, Britain’s largest aircraft. However the star of this show is UN 6979, Trevor’s 1934 Minor Two-seater, a car he has owned for almost two decades. Unfortunately the aircraft has locally acquired the nickname of ‘the flying backside’ or at least a variation of that expression.
This photograph was taken in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India in 2012 and shows 1934 Minor Two-seater owner Parth Mehd and his wife leaving the Army Club “…after a quiet breakfast”. This photo has lain dormant in the forum’s archives after an upload failure five years ago but definitely deserves an airing.
Although we are well into spring this winter image demands publication. It was taken by either Kate or Ken Martin on an early morning run to Hackpen Hill, Wiltshire in VX 4590 and was among a batch of unsuccessfully posted items to the forum, all of which have since been deleted, freeing-up storage space in the forum’s attachment archive.
Peter Field lives in the Nelson Region of South Island, New Zealand and like many here in the U.K. celebrated Drive-it-day by taking his 1931 Minor Two-seater (AT 6795) for an early autumn airing. Here his Minor (with wife Steph in the passenger seat) is seen parked adjacent to Waimea Church, a wooden structure first opened in 1867, that is now a Category One listed building.
Sunday 23rd April is the date for the 2017 Drive-it-Day celebration. Established by the FBHVC, this annual event provides a timely excuse (if one were needed) to use our Minors, Midgets or Hornets as they were intended, as well as for showing the wider world just how much fun owning and using historic vehicles can be. There are events being held the length and breadth of the U.K. including Network supported ‘meets’ in Hampshire (Royal Oak, North Gorley) and Suffolk (Black Swan, Homersfield). If you use your car on Sunday please don’t forget to take your camera. (Further details of the two Network meets can be found on the forum.)
After 40 years in storage this car has today (12th April) found a new home. 1930 Minor Fabric Saloon UX 6403 is a particularly rare find and is one of just four Fabric Saloons to have surfaced within the last 10 years. The car has a Gittin’s of Oswestry suppliers plate attached to its dash board. (Image Gareth Jerman)
The home counties ‘chapter’ held their Spring Pub Meet at the Eight Bells, Bolney, West Sussex on 10th April welcoming newcomer Paul Brigden from Amersham, Bucks to their membership. Although without a roadworthy car Paul did bring along a steering wheel from his Midget project to confirm his bona fides. John Emmett’s superb replica Le Man’s Midget also made its debut as can be seen in this photo of a very merry throng. (Image Malcolm Eades)
The ex Mouldsworth Museum/Jim Peacop owned 1932 McEvoy Minor has sold at auction for £23,000 + premiums. This is almost certainly a new record price for a pre-war Morris Minor. Brightwells chose the Bicester Heritage Centre as the venue for their latest auction which was held on April 6th. (Image – Brightwells)
Three Minor Two-seaters are all very close to becoming roadworthy after lengthy lay-offs. The first of these is a 1931 Minor Two-seater (MU 3272) which was discovered in a Norfolk orchard in the latter part of the last decade, which along with an original 1930 Semi-Sports (EC 9889) have been rebuilt by Les Beardmore in Lytham-St-Annes, Lancs. The third such car is a 1930 CMS Super Sports replica (VG 3260) built by Brian Arnall in Lincolnshire using a Llinares frame. VG 3260 started life as a Norfolk registered saloon.
An early Sunday morning scene from the car park of The Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells with Steve Kent posing alongside his 1929 Minor Tourer MM 9385 just prior to the commencement of the day’s trial. Ali Bond’s 1930 Minor Semi-Sports is parked immediately behind with the driver just out of shot. (Image courtesy of Mike Tebbett)
It’s late March, there remains a nip in the air despite the sun being substantially higher in the sky than it was just a week or so ago. In this part of the northern hemisphere high pressure is dominant, there are blue skies aplenty and more of us out and about in our cars. If you do take your car for a spin please don’t forget your camera, smart phone or tablet and remember to take some images for the website…
Sue Woodward pilots her 1931 hybrid OHC Minor BR 8606 along a Welsh bye-way during the course of the 2014 LC&ES Welsh weekend. (Photo courtesy of Peter McFadyen) This weekend eight Minors are taking part in the 2017 running of the event with PWWN members Ali Bond, Jo Langford-Yates, Clive Hamilton-Gould and Steve Kent prominent among them. The weather is set fair, so lets hope a good time is had by all.
Just three months to go before over twenty Minors assemble in Leicestershire for our 2017 rally. Now that the routes have been finalised, the rally page has been fully updated and can be found here. If you are considering joining us for what promises to be a great weekend of Minor motoring and socialising then download the entry form as just three rally places remain. The scene above was captured By Norma Lambert in the village of Holme, Norfolk during the course of 2015 rally.
Imagine your Minor in the foreground, add some summer foliage and this could be a scene from the Network’s annual rally which is scheduled to take place over the weekend of 23rd-25th June. Rallyists will encounter this view just a few miles into Saturday’s tour. It is still not too late to enter – simply download the rally entry form to be found a little further down this page
Morris Motors did manufacture a steel bodied Coupe on the long-wheel-base Minor chassis and even had the audacity to include the word ‘Sports’ in its title for the model’s first year of production, subsequently changing its name to a more truthful ‘Special Coupe’ for the 1933 & 1934 seasons. However not all Minor Coupes were heavyweights and this ‘special’ offering from Hanwell, London coachbuilder A.P. Compton was a ply and fabric skinned car (1931 Minor Arrow Coupe) which invariably provokes a ‘Marmite’ response to its looks from present day afficianados. The car was lavishly equiped and sold for a very reasonable £159. (N.B. The editor likes both Marmite and this car!)
Over the weekend of 25th, 26th March literally scores of light cars will participate in the LC&ES annual Welsh Weekend. The whole weekend is a grand celebration of pre-1931 motoring with a long Saturday tour followed by a Sunday trial over difficult terrain in central Wales. Here Clive Hamilton-Gould’s 1930 Minor Tourer DG 325 pulls away from the photographer after negotiating a difficult bend during the course of the 2014 event. (Image Peter McFadyen)
There is still a place or two available on our summer rally which this year is being held on the Rutland-Leicestershire borders over the weekend of 23rd-25th June. With well over twenty Minors and crews already confirmed you could be part of a record breaking gathering. Accomodation remains available, so why not join us – having fun in small cars is therapeautic!
These two sketches were found on the artandcars website and were drawn by ‘Emily’. The Minor depicted belongs to member Martin Gregory, while the other car shown is a 1932/33 Swallow Hornet. Just £15 to have your car sketched in this style. Emily’s contact details are emily@artandcars.co.uk
Eddie Wrigley was a true Minor enthusiast. Apart from successfully running a Minor spares business for twenty years after the end of WWII he also took part in a number of competitive VSCC events throughout this period. He is seen here (middle of photo) competing in his 1930 Minor Semi-Sports RP 9566 at Silverstone in the early fifties. Eddie had no particular allegiance to the OHC version of the car and drove a battered 1933 SV version in the immediate post-war years. An enlightening article about his car can now be found in the ‘From the vault’ feature which can be accessed via the link on the right.
Although the successors to the original builders of M Type bodies (Carbodies of Coventry) remain in business to this day it is not that concern which is currently undertaking the construction of two such examples. This task is being undertaken by Garry Waiting in Kemble, Cumbria where he is using timbers from an original Carbodies constructed frame as templates for all the new formers and struts in the two bodies concerned.
Stuart Clark from Fairfield, Worcs. had the misfortune of someone running into his 1930 Coachbuilt Saloon in what the insurance companies call a non-fault accident. As a result the car is being magnificently re-painted as can be seen here as well as on our forum.
On February 8th 1932 George Eyston set a new flying-mile Class H record of 118.39 mph in his ‘Magic Midget‘ on Pendine Sands, South Wales. The electronic timing gear had failed to function earlier that day when EX 127 was hand timed at an even quicker 122 mph. His wind-tunnel tested, streamlined MG was powered by a 750 cc OHC engine, a development of that used in the MG C Types of 1931 which in turn were originally developed from the 1928 Minor power unit and subsequently fitted to the first MG Midget. The March 1932 edition of Motor Sport described the record attempt as “A very wonderful achievement”. (Autocar photoscan courtesy of LAT Images)
While the U.K. remains in the grip of winter with snow falling and daytime temperatures hovering around zero, a timely reminder that it ‘won’t always be so’ is called for. This image was taken on Sunday 5th June 2016 at about 10-30 AM in Shaftesbury, Dorset. The PWMN summer rally was in full swing and over 20 Minors and crews were enjoying a beautiful late spring morning. Bring it on!
Due to an unforeseen change of circumstance there will be a number of amendments to the published rally itinerary. The main changes being that the Blaston showground will no longer feature as a venue while the Rutland Belle optional trip has been moved to Sunday. The Nevill Arms remains as our main venue. A fully revised itinerary will be published here shortly and the rally page will be updated accordingly. A fully detailed ‘options’ booking form will be emailed to all crews by 28th February. Please accept our apologies for the necessity to make these changes.
Not a Minor or train in sight but the magnificent Seaton Viaduct (pictured here) will feature in one of our two tours. (Image: Martin Gregory)
The White Minor Skinner Special made its first appearance in the spring of 1934 and over the next three years took part in a number of high profile hill-climb and speed trial events events at Shelsley Walsh, Lewes and Dancer’s End, Berkhampsted. Throughout this period it was driven by Barbara Skinner who won two Shelsley Ladies Cup awards, achieved a class win at the 1934 Lewes Speed Trials while adding a fastest time of the day at the Dancer’s End hill-climb in May 1937. Perhaps her greatest achievement was made on her debut at Shelsley Walsh in June 1934 when this driver/car combination broke the ladies record outright. Following a long and painstaking restoration by current custodian David Baldock the car is now very close to its original racing condition. To celebrate this achievement a new page has been added to the Member’s Area of the site and can be found via the drop-down menu under the ‘Members’ tab at the top of this page.
This may not be the most exciting photograph to have featured in this spot but it does tell part of a fascinating 83 year old story. If you believe that you know what this might be then either leave a ‘comment’ or post your thoughts on our Discussion Forum.
Our 2017 rally is just five months distant at which time England’s smallest county will be invaded by 20+ very small Morris cars. This was the scene last June in the village of Marnhull, Dorset just prior to the commencement of the Saturday tour. The venue was the car park of The Crown Inn where the crews can be seen discussing the day’s program and making final adjustments to their cars prior to departure. It’s not too late to sign-up for our Rutland Rally – see the panel ad and downloadable form below. (Image Kate Martin)
Winter has finally arrived with a vengeance here in the south eastern corner of the U.K. With freshly fallen snow on the ground and the majority of Minors tucked away in garages a timely reminder of warm summer days may help to lift the gloom. Here Ken Martin‘s 1930 Minor Coachbuilt Saloon VX 4590 takes avoiding action in order to miss a prone photographer near the Dorset village of Ashmore during the course of the 2016 PWMN Rally.
In the immediate aftermath of WWII Ken Wharton successfully drove a hill-climb special which was built around a shortened lwb Minor chassis M36384. The car (GV 963) had been first registered in West Suffolk in 1932 as a Saloon.The KJW Special as it was known, was the forerunner of a number of highly successful British Hill Climb Championship winning cars that during the period 1950-1953 ensured that Ken impressively took the championship title in successive years. Ken then became a Grand Prix racing driver with a number of creditable finishes to his name before sustaining fatal injuries in a racing accident in his native New Zealand in 1957. (Image The Harry Edwards Collection)
This 1930 Minor Coachbuilt Saloon is owned by Charles Gillet of Beverley, Yorks and is seen here competing at the VSCC’s Cotswold Trial on 19th November last. This photo along with many others of the cars taking part that day can be found on the picssr website here.